Cardiovascular research
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Cardiovascular research · Apr 1989
End tidal carbon dioxide as an haemodynamic determinant of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the rat.
End tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) has been found to be a good prognostic indicator of successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. To explore the value of this measurement further, we carried out a series of experiments during cardiac arrest and closed chest resuscitation in 14 mechanically ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced by a 10 mA current delivered to the right ventricular endocardium. ⋯ The PETCO2 correlated with the mean aortic (r = 0.71) and coronary perfusion pressure (r = 0.80) generated during precordial compression. In corroboration of previously reported observations on pigs, dogs, and human patients, PETCO2 served as a non-invasive monitor of the effectiveness of precordial compression for maintaining coronary perfusion and therefore cardiac viability during CPR. The PETCO2 was also useful in that it promptly signalled restoration of spontaneous circulation.