Abstract
Purpose
The accuracy of monitors for measuring transcutaneous \( P_{CO_2 } \) (Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \)), end-tidal \( P_{CO_2 } \) (Et\( P_{CO_2 } \)), and nasal Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) was evaluated.
Methods
The measuring devices included a Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (TCM3; Radiometer Trading), an Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (Ultima; Datex-Ohmeda), and a nasal Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (TG-920P; Nihon Kohden). The sensor electrode of the TCM3 Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor was applied to the skin of the subject’s upper arm. A sampling tube attached to the proximal end of the tracheal tube was connected to the Ultima Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor. The miniature sensor of the TG-920P nasal Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor was attached to the nostril. The values obtained were compared with direct measurements of arterial \( P_{CO_2 } \)(\( Pa_{CO_2 } \)) obtained by means of an ABL700 blood gas analyzer (Radiometer Trading) in surgically treated patients. The means ± 2 SD of the differences between variables were calculated.
Results
The Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (0.19 ± 4.8 mmHg, mean ± 2-SD) was more accurate than the Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (−4.4 ± 6.5 mmHg, mean ± 2-SD) in patients receiving artificial ventilation via an endotracheal tube and the Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor was also more accurate than the nasal Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor (−6.3 ± 9.8 mmHg, bias ± 2-SD) in patients breathing spontaneously.
Conclusion
We found that the Tc\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor was more accurate than the Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) or nasal Et\( P_{CO_2 } \) monitor in surgically treated patients.
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Hirabayashi, M., Fujiwara, C., Ohtani, N. et al. Transcutaneous \( P_{CO_2 } \) monitors are more accurate than end-tidal \( P_{CO_2 } \) monitors. J Anesth 23, 198–202 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-008-0734-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-008-0734-z