Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 1992
Accuracy of the FEF CO2 detector in the assessment of endotracheal tube placement.
The sensitivity and reliability of the FEF end-tidal CO2 detector were investigated for its suitability in the assessment of correct placement of an endotracheal tube. Sensitivity was determined by having eight blinded volunteers observe the color change in the FEF detector with the administration of different volumes and varying CO2 concentrations of gas mixture. The color change in the FEF detector was also assessed during esophageal ventilations before and after administration of carbonated beverage into the stomach of swine and during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in swine. ⋯ The "C" color was displayed during the initial six ventilations in one swine, and esophageal intubation would have been missed. The FEF detector could (by displaying a "C" color) identify one of six correctly intubated swine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In conclusion, the FEF CO2 detector does not have the characteristics to reliably assess the correct placement of an endotracheal tube.