Relationship between mean arterial pressure and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide during hemorrhagic shock andvolume resuscitation

Objectives. We examined the relationship between partial end-tidal CO2 (pet) and mean arterial pressure in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, who were receiving constant minute ventilation.Methods. In 61 patients we continuously measured pet CO2 with a capnograph, direct arterial pressure via a cannula, oxygen levels via pulse oximetry and body temperature.Results. We observed significant changes in pet CO2 (increase) after volume resuscitation and a quantitative linear relati-onship between pet CO2 and mean arterial pressure.Conclusions. Partial end-tidal CO2 can be used as a reliable non-invasive monitoring device in patients with hemorrhagic shock when minute ventilation is relatively constant. The monitoring of pet CO2 might also be a useful guide for volume resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock, especially in the pre-hospital setting.