Progress of end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in non-intubated patients

Abstract

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring is an important tool for assessing respiratory and circulatory status of patients. It has become an integral component of perioperative anesthesia care in patients undergoing general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. ETCO2 monitoring can also benefit non-intubated patients. This review covers the basics of ETCO2 and methods of partial pressure of ETCO2 (PETCO2) monitoring and focuses on the literature regarding PETCO2 monitoring for non-intubated patients. Most studies explored the superiority of PETCO2 monitoring in patients under sedation outside operating room, while others investigated the potential advantages of PETCO2 monitoring in other scenarios such as post-anesthesia care unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and patient-controlled analgesia. As carbon dioxide detection technology and sampling circuits continue to improve, PETCO2 monitoring is expected to be used in more medical scenarios.