Emergency medical services
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EtCO2 monitoring is a valuable tool for clinical management of patients in cardiac arrest, near-arrest and post-arrest. During cardiac arrest, EtCO2 levels fall abruptly at the onset of cardiac arrest, increase after the onset of effective CPR and return to normal at return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). ⋯ The higher the initial value of EtCO2, the greater was short-term survival. EtCO2 is a useful tool during patient resuscitation for evaluating the current and potential effects of treatment, and could be potentially useful in determining when to terminate resuscitation efforts.