What is the purpose of capnography during ALS?

Capnography plays a crucial role in Advanced Life Support (ALS) by providing real-time monitoring of the exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) levels during ventilation. This technique helps to confirm the presence of effective ventilation and allows responders to assess how well gases are being exchanged in the lungs. The presence of CO2 in the exhaled breath indicates that ventilation is occurring; therefore, it acts as a validation that breaths are appropriately being delivered to the patient.

Monitoring the levels of CO2 can also provide important information about the patient’s metabolic status and the effectiveness of CPR if initiated. For instance, an increase in the end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) values during CPR may indicate improved blood flow to the lungs and an increased chance of successful resuscitation.

While monitoring heart rate, assessing pulse strength, and measuring blood oxygen levels are important in patient evaluation, they do not directly relate to the confirmation of proper ventilation in the context of capnography. The main strength of capnography lies in its ability to provide immediate feedback on the effectiveness of ventilation, which is essential during resuscitation efforts.