

The machine was installed with all due precautions as per the instruction manual. 1, 2 A new capnography machine was procured by the military hospital situated at a height of 3500 m to enhance the monitoring standards of patients in the operation theatre and intensive care unit. Its use is vital not only because it is a part of minimum monitoring standards for administering anaesthesia to the patients but also for assessing high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation as per advanced cardiac life support guidelines. We discuss the malfunctioning of a capnography monitor and ways of improving the reliability at a high altitude above 3500 m.Ĭapnography is a monitor designed for monitoring end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2) gas in the expired gases from the patient. Not just the disease profile in this area is different than what we usually see but also the effect of high altitude on various electromedical apparatuses is noteworthy. Indirectly, it reflects the production of CO2 by tissues and the circulatory transport of CO2 to the lungs.The Indian Army is one of the few armies in the world with continuous deployment in high-altitude areas at the height above 3500 m. Capnography directly reflects the elimination of CO2 by the lungs to the anaesthesia device. The critical connection between the two components is either an endotracheal tube or a mask, and CO2 is typically monitored at this junction. In the presence of most forms of lung disease, and some forms of congenital heart disease the difference between arterial blood and expired gas increases and can exceed 1 kPa.ĭuring anaesthesia, there is interplay between two components: the patient and the anaesthesia administration device. In healthy individuals, the difference between arterial blood and expired gas CO2 partial pressures is very small. The capnogram is a direct monitor of the inhaled and exhaled concentration or partial pressure of CO2, and an indirect monitor of the CO2 partial pressure in the arterial blood. The plot may also show the inspired CO2, which is of interest when rebreathing systems are being used. It is usually presented as a graph of expiratory CO2 plotted against time, or, less commonly, but more usefully, expired volume. Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anaesthesia and intensive care. In the presence of most forms of lung disease, and some forms of congenital heart disease (the cyanotic lesions) the difference between arterial blood and expired gas increases which can be an indication of new pathology or change in the cardiovascular-ventilation system.įreebase Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votesĬapnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the respiratory gases. In healthy individuals, the difference between arterial blood and expired gas CO2 partial pressures is very small (normal difference 4-5 mmHg). When the measurement is taken at the end of a breath (exhaling), it is called "end tidal" CO2 (PETCO2).The capnogram is a direct monitor of the inhaled and exhaled concentration or partial pressure of CO2, and an indirect monitor of the CO2 partial pressure in the arterial blood. It is usually presented as a graph of CO2 (measured in kilopascals, "kPa" or millimeters of mercury, "mmHg") plotted against time, or, less commonly, but more usefully, expired volume (known as volumetric capnography). Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anesthesia and intensive care. Wikipedia Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votesĬapnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory gases.
