#FOAMcc

Continuous quantitative waveform capnography, also known as end-tidal carbon dioxide, PetCO2, or ETCO2, is a measurement of the partial pressure of CO2 in the exhaled breath. This technology has been around since the mid-19th century and only relatively recently has its potential in emergency medicine begun to be explored. […]

Sepsis is the most common cause of death in children worldwide. What is the optimal evaluation and management of pediatric sepsis?

Included below is a summary of numerous blog posts and podcasts that discuss the sometimes controversial issue of permissive hypotension or minimum volume resuscitation in the bleeding trauma patient.

The Basics

• Idea of keeping BP low in traumatic hemorrhage to avoid “popping the clot”
• Based mostly on data from animal trials and penetrating trauma in humans
• Common practice in most major trauma centers in USA
• The exact approach still remains controversial around the world

Disclaimer: These are highlights as interpreted by the author of this article and should not replace listening to the original podcast or reviewing the background research.  Posts are in chronological order and many of the below podcasts go beyond the scope of permissive hypotension. […]

Does End Tidal CO2 correlate with PaCO2 in Traumatic Brain Injury?

Your neurosurgeons and trauma team have accepted a transfer to your hospital for intensive management of a trauma patient who presented to a small community hospital with a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and epidural hematoma after being involved in a motorcycle accident.

While the patient is in the ED, the neurosurgeons recommend maintaining eucapnea for the patient since while there are no acute signs of herniation.(1)

Can you use the end tidal CO2(etCO2) or do you need to rely on arterial blood gas (ABG) measurements to maintain PaCO2 between 35-40 mm Hg? […]

A practice update on adult epiglottitis in the ED.