Use of Disposable End Tidal Carbon Dioxide Detector Device for Checking Endotracheal Tube Placement

End tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring is the non-invasive measurement of exhaled CO2. It is of particular use for verification of endotracheal tube placement. It is easy to apply to breathing circuits. This technology has the potential to become a very useful tool in the pre-hospital setting. It is a commercially available, disposable, colorimetric ETCO2 detector in which colour changes using a numerical scale semi-quantitatively measures carbon dioxide percentage in exhaled gases, and it has been proved useful in adults and children. End tidal CO2 detectors provide an objective evidence of the tube position in the trachea. In addition to quickly revealing the misplaced oesophageal intubations it can prevent unnecessary reintubations. Other uses in the Emergency Department include monitoring CPR efforts and monitoring the ventilatory and haemodynamic status of intubated and nonintubated patients. In addition, future uses may include using PetCO2 as an adjunct when monitoring the status of asthma treatment, when making the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, and when measuring cardiac output noninvasively.