End-inspiratory rebreathing reduces the end-tidal to arterial PCO₂ gradient in mechanically ventilated pigs

摘要

Purpose Noninvasive monitoring of the arterial partial pressures of CO₂ (PaCO₂) of critically ill patients by measuring their end-tidal partial pressures of CO₂ (PetCO₂) would be of great clinical value. However, the gradient between PetCO₂ and PaCO₂ (Pet-aCO₂) in such patients typically varies over a wide range. A reduction of the Pet-aCO₂ gradient can be achieved in spontaneously breathing healthy humans using an end-inspiratory rebreathing technique. We investigated whether this method would be effective in reducing the Pet-aCO₂ gradient in a ventilated animal model.