[Noninvasive monitoring of gas exchange: methodologic prerequisites and clinical use]

The noninvasive determination of the respiratory gas exchange (measurement of oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide delivery) permits the calculation of cardiac output by Fick principle and of the actual energy requirement of the patient (indirect calorimetry). A system is presented for the continuous measurement of oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide delivery, that bases on simple components, which are available on most intensive care units. The methodical problems are discussed and the improvement of the signal of the oxygen sensor by digital signal processing is described. Clinical measurements on 16 patients are presented, whose metabolic rate early after extracorporal circulation was measured. The results reveal, that 4.4 hours after ECC the metabolic rate is close to the calculated basic metabolic rate. They demonstrate the importance of indirect calorimetry as a future bedside monitoring routine.