Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Supporting patients with hypercapnia
Laura Tregidgo1, Rebecca F D'Cruz2
1Lane Fox Respiratory Unit, Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Abstract:
Hypercapnia is commonly encountered by general and specialist respiratory clinicians. Patients at risk of developing hypercapnic respiratory failure include those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity and neuromuscular disease. Such patients may present to clinicians acutely unwell on the acute medical take or during an inpatient deterioration, or be identified in the stable outpatient setting. In this review, we provide a practical guide to develop clinicians' knowledge, skills and confidence in promptly recognising and managing hypercapnic respiratory failure, and to promote national ventilation quality standards to encourage consistent delivery of high-quality care and optimise outcomes for patients.
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