Seth - best PK talk ever! This was right-on! One thing though - I would be nervous if I only saw "1 pixel" of variation with each breath in an intubated patient. Thanks!
I agree, 1 pixel variation is not particularly reassuring, and I think it's reasonable to check the tube/LMA in any other way you can (eg gently place a bougie until hold-up). The only times I have seen such a small variation is during cardiac arrest.
The big mistake would be to attribute a flat ETCO2 to the low cardiac output from the arrest, and not that your tube is not in.
Seth - best PK talk ever! This was right-on!
ReplyDeleteOne thing though - I would be nervous if I only saw "1 pixel" of variation with each breath in an intubated patient. Thanks!
Benjamin- Thanks! I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, 1 pixel variation is not particularly reassuring, and I think it's reasonable to check the tube/LMA in any other way you can (eg gently place a bougie until hold-up). The only times I have seen such a small variation is during cardiac arrest.
The big mistake would be to attribute a flat ETCO2 to the low cardiac output from the arrest, and not that your tube is not in.