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Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Practical uses of end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in the emergency department
L J Santos1, J Varon, L Pic-Aluas
1Department of Medicine, Providence Hospital, Washington, DC.
Abstract:
Qualitative and quantitative measurement of the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in respiratory gases is readily available with current technology. End-tidal CO2 (PetCO2) monitoring, whether by qualitative colorimetric methods or by solid-state spectrophotometric techniques, is becoming increasingly valuable in the Emergency Department (ED). These techniques offer a practical adjunct to the ED management of critical interventions including endotracheal intubation, conscious sedation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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