End-tidal carbon dioxide concentration monitoring during cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a prognostic indicator for survival

Aim:. Analysis of end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO(2)) dynamics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and EtCO2 correlation to the outcome. Methods: This prospective observational study included 21 consecutive patients with episode of cardiac arrest after admission to our general medical intensive care unit (ICU). All patients were mechanically ventilated via endotracheal tube and standard resuscitation procedures were performed. EtCO(2) was measured continuously with an infrared absorption carbon dioxide analyzer. Initial values and values measured after 5 and 30 minutes of CPR were analyzed. Results: CPR was successful in 6 patients and spontaneous circulation was restored. Although there was no significant difference in initial EtCO(2) values (11.5 vs. 11.1), there was a difference in later measurements (20.5 vs. 12.5; 24.7 vs. 4.75). Conclusion: The measurement of EtCO(2) concentration during CPR correlates with the restitution of circulation and may be a practical, non-invasive indicator of a successful resuscitation.