EtCO2 and bicarb

 Q: During cardiac resuscitation, administration of sodium bicarbonate may cause erroneous ___________ in End-Tidal CO2 (EtCO2)? - select one

A) increase

B) decrease

Answer: A

The use of EtCO2 is on the rise in the ICU for various reasons. It is important to know the confounding factors associated with its administration.

EtCO2 may increase erroneously moments after administration of sodium bicarbonate. This effect is short-lived, though - and if hemodynamics continue to improve, this increase will stay sustained.

#resuscitation

#hemodynamics

Reference:

1. Sandroni C, De Santis P, D'Arrigo S. Capnography during cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2018; 132:73.

2. Roh YI, Kim HI, Kim SJ, et al. End-tidal carbon dioxide after sodium bicarbonate infusion during mechanical ventilation or ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 76:211.