Volumetric and End-Tidal Capnography for the Detection of Cardiac Output Changes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Early after Open Heart Surgery

摘要

Background Exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) reflects cardiac output (CO) provided stable ventilation and metabolism. Detecting CO changes may help distinguish hypovolemia or cardiac dysfunction from other causes of haemodynamic instability. We investigated whether CO2 measured as end-tidal concentration (EtCO2) and eliminated volume per breath (VtCO2) reflect sudden changes in cardiac output (CO).