Objective: We examined the reliability of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2 ) level in predicting mortality after endotracheal intubation in emergency situations. Methods: In this prospective study, the reliability of ETCO2 monitoring in the emergency setting as a useful predictor of outcome was investigated in 36 adult patients with pending cardiopulmonary collapse. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure was performed as usual and the cardiac rhythm, arterial O2 saturation, non- invasive blood pressure and ETCO2 levels were continuously monitored in all the patients. Results: Patients with an ETCO2 concentration below 0.5% had significantly lower rates of survival. The sensitivity and specificity values of end-tidal CO2 levels equal to or greater than 0.5% in predicting survival were 100% and 42.8%, respectively. None of the 8 patients with levels below 0.5% survived. An end-tidal CO 2 concentration level of 0.5% served to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: These results suggest that the initial ETCO2 concentration can be an important predictor of outcome, especially with regard to mortality in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.

Objective: We examined the reliability of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2 ) level in predicting mortality after endotracheal intubation in emergency situations. Methods: In this prospective study, the reliability of ETCO2 monitoring in the emergency setting as a useful predictor of outcome was investigated in 36 adult patients with pending cardiopulmonary collapse. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure was performed as usual and the cardiac rhythm, arterial O2 saturation, non- invasive blood pressure and ETCO2 levels were continuously monitored in all the patients. Results: Patients with an ETCO2 concentration below 0.5% had significantly lower rates of survival. The sensitivity and specificity values of end-tidal CO2 levels equal to or greater than 0.5% in predicting survival were 100% and 42.8%, respectively. None of the 8 patients with levels below 0.5% survived. An end-tidal CO 2 concentration level of 0.5% served to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: These results suggest that the initial ETCO2 concentration can be an important predictor of outcome, especially with regard to mortality in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.