In July 2013, the Journal of Emergency Medicine published an article titled, “Capnography for the Non-intubated Patient in the Emergency Setting.” In the article, Craig A. Manifold, D.O., et al., describe common use case scenarios for monitoring end-tidal CO2 (etCO2) in intubated patients. The authors also identify opportunities where capnography may be beneficial for detecting adverse patient conditions, measuring respiratory rates and adequacy of ventilation, and offering potential cost savings when providing non-invasive or non-intubated patient care.1

In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) published a Class 1 Recommendation for the use of capnography during cardiopulmonary resuscitation to monitor expired CO2 (ventilation) on intubated patients.2 Capnography can also be an effective tool for monitoring ventilation with supraglottic airways. During a resuscitation event, etCO2 monitoring provides real-time information about chest compression effectiveness and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Use of capnography on intubated patients has been well documented; however, there is significant opportunity to enhance patient care and improve patient safety in the EMS environment with the utilization of etCO2 in the non-intubated patient.

In EMS, potent narcotic analgesics and benzodiazepines are commonly used for pain management, seizure management and sedation. Respiratory depression is a known side effect of these drugs and supplemental oxygen administration is common practice. Undetected hypoxic events from the administration of narcotic analgesics and benzodiazepines can have lethal implications. Several studies referenced in the Manifold, et al. article demonstrated that abnormally high levels of CO2 (hypercarbia) can exist in the presence of normal oxygenation.1 In one study cited, capnography gave advanced warning for low oxygenation (hypoxia) conditions in all 132 adult patients. Capnography was 100% sensitive for predicting hypoxia.3

In 2011, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) instituted a standard that requires the adequacy of ventilation be measured by exhaled carbon dioxide. This ASA standard, considered a minimum requirement for clinical practice, includes the use of capnography for moderate or deep sedation.4

The Manifold, et al. article surmises there may be cost efficiencies in the EMS environment when capnography is used to monitor diabetic patients with ketoacidosis (DKA) and for patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). The authors suggest that using capnography to monitor etCO2 on patients with DKA can result in fewer blood draws, resulting in economic savings. Additionally, the authors conclude that when used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, capnography monitoring can offer cost savings by reducing unnecessary CT scans for patients with PE.5

According to the article, respiratory rates are inherently inaccurate and can affect emergency patient care. Patients actively seizing make evaluating respiratory rates and adequacy of ventilation difficult.5 CO2 measurements via a nasal-oral sampling cannula can easily and rapidly provide an accurate assessment of respiratory rate and ventilation status in seizing and post-ictal patients.

A potentially helpful suggestion is to use the capnography waveform (capnogram) as a bio-feedback coaching tool to help lucid, but anxious and hyperventilating patients control their breathing. When patients are instructed to watch their breathing activity on the monitor, they can see their etCO2 level rise and respiratory rate decrease.

Manifold, et al. conclude by stating that etCO2 is safe, noninvasive, inexpensive, and rapidly performed. The authors further state that capnography is an essential tool for evaluating patients in the emergency setting.5

Summary

Capnography has been clinically recommended for use in the EMS environment for monitoring an intubated patient. Moreover, etCO2 has been shown to provide clinical utility and benefit beyond the intubated patient or simply as a “tube checker.” Non-invasive etCO2 monitoring can be used for measuring respiratory rate and adequacy of ventilation in patients with DKA, PE, anxiety, or for patients actively seizing or post-ictal. Monitoring etCO2 should be considered for use in all narcotic analgesia and benzodiazepine administration for pain management, seizure control or sedation in EMS.

By using Microstream®-enabled etCO2 monitoring technology from Covidien, EMS care providers have access to more accurate respiratory rates, CO2 values, and breathby-breath waveforms in intubated (endotracheal tube and supraglottic airways) and in non-intubated patients. FilterLine® sampling lines, used with Microstream-enabled capnography monitors, are cost effective, simple to use, and typically well-tolerated by the non-intubated patient.

Microstream capnography offers an effective tool for EMS clinicians to help recognize respiratory distress earlier and more quickly provide intervention.

1. Manifold, CA, et al. Capnography for the Non-intubated Patient in the Emergency Setting. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2013 Oct;45(4):626-32.
2. 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science. Circulation. 2010;122(18): suppl 3.
3. Deitch K, Miner J, Chudnofsky CR, Dominici P, Latta D. Does end tidal CO2 monitoring during emergency department procedural sedation and analgesia with propofol decrease the incidence of hypoxic events? A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2010;55(3):258-264.
4. Standards for basic anesthetic monitoring. Committee of origin: standards and practice parameters (approved by the ASA House of Delegates on October 21, 1986, and last amended on October 20, 2010 with an effective date of July 1,2011). American Society of Anesthesiologists website. Accessed October 21, 2013.
5. Manifold, CA, et al. Capnography for the Non-intubated Patient in the Emergency Setting. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2013 Oct;45(4):626-32.