Does end tidal CO2 monitoring during emergency department procedural sedation and analgesia with propofol decrease the incidence of hypoxic events? A randomized, controlled trial

Diagnostic utility of capnography in emergency department triage for screening acidemia: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Capnography is a quantitative and reliable method of determining the ventilatory status of patients. We describe the test characteristics of capnography obtained during Emergency Department triage for screening acidemia.

RESULTS

We performed an observational, pilot study of adult patients presenting to Emergency Department (ED) triage. The primary outcome was acidemia, as determined by the basic metabolic panel and/or blood gas during the ED visit. Secondary outcomes include comparison of estimated and measured respiratory rates (RR), relationships between end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and venous partial pressure of CO2, admission disposition, in-hospital mortality during admission, and capnogram waveform analysis. A total of 100 adult ED encounters were included in the study and acidemia ([Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]) was identified in 28 patients. The measured respiratory rate (20.3 ± 6.4 breaths/min) was significantly different from the estimated rate (18.4 ± 1.6 breaths/min), and its area under the receiver operating curve (c-statistic) to predict acidemia was only 0.60 (95% CI 0.51-0.75, p = 0.03). A low end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2 < 32 mmHg) had positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios of 4.68 (95% CI 2.59-8.45) and 0.34 (95% CI 0.19-0.61) for acidemia, respectively-corresponding to sensitivity 71.4% (95% CI 51.3-86.8) and specificity 84.7% (95% CI 74.3-92.1). The c-statistic for EtCO2 was 0.849 (95% CI 0.76-0.94, p = 0.00). Waveform analysis further revealed characteristically abnormal capnograms that were associated with underlying pathophysiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Capnography is a quantitative method of screening acidemia in patients and can be implemented feasibly in Emergency Department triage as an adjunct to vital signs. While it was shown to have only modest ability to predict acidemia, triage capnography has wide generalizability to screen other life-threatening disease processes such as sepsis or can serve as an early indicator of clinical deterioration.

Korean clinical practice guidelines for diagnostic and procedural sedation

Safe and effective sedation depends on various factors, such as the choice of sedatives, sedation techniques used, experience of the sedation provider, degree of sedation-related education and training, equipment and healthcare worker availability, the patient's underlying diseases, and the procedure being performed. The purpose of these evidence-based multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines is to ensure the safety and efficacy of sedation, thereby contributing to patient safety and ultimately improving public health. These clinical practice guidelines comprise 15 key questions covering various topics related to the following: the sedation providers; medications and equipment available; appropriate patient selection; anesthesiologist referrals for high-risk patients; pre-sedation fasting; comparison of representative drugs used in adult and pediatric patients; respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and sedation depth monitoring during sedation; management of respiratory complications during pediatric sedation; and discharge criteria. The recommendations in these clinical practice guidelines were systematically developed to assist providers and patients in sedation-related decision making for diagnostic and therapeutic examinations or procedures. Depending on the characteristics of primary, secondary, and tertiary care institutions as well as the clinical needs and limitations, sedation providers at each medical institution may choose to apply the recommendations as they are, modify them appropriately, or reject them completely.

End-tidal carbon dioxide after sodium bicarbonate infusion during mechanical ventilation or ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation

PURPOSE

End-tidal CO2 is used to monitor the ventilation status or hemodynamic efficacy during mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and it may be affected by various factors including sodium bicarbonate administration. This study investigated changes in end-tidal CO2 after sodium bicarbonate administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, prospective observational study included adult patients who received sodium bicarbonate during mechanical ventilation or CPR. End-tidal CO2 elevation was defined as an increase of ≥20% from the baseline end-tidal CO2 value. The time to initial increase (lag time, Tlag), time to peak (Tpeak), and duration of the end-tidal CO2 rise (Tduration) were compared between the patients with spontaneous circulation (SC group) and those with ongoing resuscitation (CPR group).

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients, (SC group, n = 25; CPR group, n = 8), were included. Compared with the baseline value, the median values of peak end-tidal CO2 after sodium bicarbonate injection increased by 100% (from 21 to 41 mmHg) in all patients, 89.5% (from 21 to 39 mmHg) in the SC group, and 160.2% (from 15 to 41 mmHg) in the CPR group. The median Tlag was 17 s (IQR: 12-21) and the median Tpeak was 35 s (IQR: 27-52). The median Tduration was 420 s (IQR: 90-639). The median Tlag, Tpeak, and Tduration were not significantly different between the groups. Tduration was associated with the amount of sodium bicarbonate for SC group (correlation coefficient: 0.531, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

The administration of sodium bicarbonate may lead to a substantial increase in end-tidal CO2 for several minutes in patients with spontaneous circulation and in patients with ongoing CPR. After intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate, the use of end-tidal CO2 pressure as a physiological indicator may be limited.

Association between capnography and recovery time after procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department

Aim

Capnography is recommended for use in procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA); however, limited studies assess its impact on recovery time. We investigated the association between capnography and the recovery time of PSA in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter PSA patient registry including eight hospitals in Japan. We included all patients who received PSA in the ED between May 2017 and May 2021 and divided the patients into capnography and no-capnography groups. The primary outcome was recovery time, defined as the time from the end of the procedure to the cessation of monitoring. The log-rank test and multivariable analysis using clustering for institutions were performed.

Results

Of the 1265 screened patients, 943 patients who received PSA were enrolled and categorized into the capnography (n = 150, 16%) and no-capnography (n = 793, 84%) groups. The median recovery time was 40 (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-63) min in the capnography group and 30 (IQR: 14-55) min in the no-capnography group. In the log-rank test, the recovery time was significantly longer in the capnography group (p = 0.03) than in the no-capnography group. In the multivariable analysis, recovery time did not differ between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.17; p = 0.61).

Conclusion

In this secondary analysis of the multicenter registry of PSA in Japan, capnography use did not associate with shorter recovery time in the ED.

Capnography for Monitoring of the Critically Ill Patient

Capnography has been widely adopted in multiple clinical areas. The capnogram and end-tidal carbon dioxide offer a wealth of information, in the right clinical setting, and when properly interpreted. In this article, the authors aim to review the most common clinical scenarios during which capnography has been shown to be of benefit. This includes the areas of fluid responsiveness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and conscious sedation. They review the published literature, highlighting its pitfalls and identifying its limitations.

Pro-Con Debate: Monitored Anesthesia Care Versus General Endotracheal Anesthesia for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Over the past several decades, anesthesia has experienced a significant growth in nonoperating room anesthesia. Gastrointestinal suites represent the largest volume location for off-site anesthesia procedures, which include complex endoscopy procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). These challenging patients and procedures necessitate a shared airway and are typically performed in the prone or semiprone position on a dedicated procedural table. In this Pro-Con commentary article, the Pro side supports the use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC), citing fewer hemodynamic perturbations, decreased side effects from inhalational agents, faster cognitive recovery, and quicker procedural times leading to improved center efficiency (ie, quicker time to discharge). Meanwhile, the Con side favors general endotracheal anesthesia (GEA) to reduce the infrequent, but well-recognized, critical events due to impaired oxygenation and/or ventilation known to occur during MAC in this setting. They also argue that procedural interruptions are more frequent during MAC as anesthesia professionals need to rescue patients from apnea with various airway maneuvers. Thus, the risk of hypoxemic episodes is minimized using GEA for ERCP. Unfortunately, neither position is supported by large randomized controlled trials. The consensus opinion of the authors is that anesthesia for ERCP should be provided by a qualified anesthesia professional who weighs the risks and benefits of each technique for a given patient and clinical circumstance. This Pro-Con article highlights the many challenges anesthesia professionals face during ERCPs and encourages thoughtful, individualized anesthetic plans over knee-jerk decisions. Both sides agree that an anesthetic technique administered by a qualified anesthesia professional is favored over an endoscopist-directed sedation approach.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine Administered in Two Different Modes Under Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Plastic Surgery

Background

Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is now widely used in procedural sedation and analgesia. This study was designed to observe and compare the efficacy and safety of DEX administered in two different modes.

Methods

In total, 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive intravenous DEX 1 µg/kg over 15 min followed by 0.4–0.7 µg/kg/h infusion or DEX 1 µg/kg over 30 min followed by 0.4–0.7 µg/kg/h infusion. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), bispectral index (BIS), Ramsay Sedation Scores (RSS scores), the lowest respiratory rates (LRR), incidences of respiratory adverse events and frequencies of body movements were recorded. Recovery time, recall of intraoperative events, pain scores in PACU and satisfaction of patients and surgeons were assessed.

Results

The BIS at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to the end of surgery in the intervention group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The RSS scores at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to immediately after induction with DEX were significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The HR at time points from the beginning of surgery to 30 min after local anesthesia, the MAP at time points from 30 min after local anesthesia to the end of surgery, and the RR at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to the end of surgery were significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Patients in the intervention group had higher LRR, lower incidences of respiratory adverse events, and shorter recovery time (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine infused with a loading dose over 30 min had less impact on patients’ hemodynamics and respiration and could shorten the recovery time after anesthesia in procedural sedation and analgesia.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR1900027958.

Transient End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Elevation During Pediatric Upper Endoscopy With Carbon Dioxide Insufflation: Is It True Hypercapnia?

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic insufflation, long performed using air, is being replaced by carbon dioxide (CO2) at many pediatric centers, despite limited published data on its use in children. We have previously demonstrated that CO2 use during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in non-intubated children is associated with transient elevations of end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2). This observation raised concerns about possible CO2 inhalation and systemic absorption. Here, we investigate this concern by concurrently measuring both EtCO2 and transcutaneous CO2 (tCO2) during upper endoscopic procedures in children.

AIM

To determine if elevations in EtCO2 levels seen in non-intubated children undergoing CO2 insufflation during EGD are associated with elevated systemic CO2 levels.

METHODS

Double-blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Children were randomized 1:1 to receive either CO2 or air for endoscopic insufflation. EtCO2 was sampled with a CO2-sampling nasal cannula and tCO2 was monitored using the Radiometer transcutaneous monitoring device.

RESULTS

Fifty nine patients were enrolled; 30 patients in the CO2 insufflation group and 29 in the air group. All patients underwent a procedure involving an EGD. Transient elevations in EtCO2 (defined as >60 mmHg) were observed only in the CO2 insufflation group. This contrasted with the similar elevations of tCO2 between the CO2 and air insufflation groups. None of these events were of clinically significant magnitude or duration.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the observed transient elevations in EtCO2 seen during EGD in non-intubated children receiving CO2 insufflation are most likely measurements of eructated CO2 without evidence of excessive systemic absorption of CO2.

German S3 Guideline: Oxygen Therapy in the Acute Care of Adult Patients

BACKGROUND

Oxygen (O2) is a drug with specific biochemical and physiological properties, a range of effective doses and may have side effects. In 2015, 14% of over 55,000 hospital patients in the UK were using oxygen. 42% of patients received this supplemental oxygen without a valid prescription. Health care professionals are frequently uncertain about the relevance of hypoxemia and have low awareness about the risks of hyperoxemia. Numerous randomized controlled trials about targets of oxygen therapy have been published in recent years. A national guideline is urgently needed.

METHODS

A national S3 guideline was developed and published within the Program for National Disease Management Guidelines (AWMF) with participation of 10 medical associations. A literature search was performed until February 1, 2021, to answer 10 key questions. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) System ("The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence") was used to classify types of studies in terms of validity. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used for assessing the quality of evidence and for grading guideline recommendation, and a formal consensus-building process was performed.

RESULTS

The guideline includes 34 evidence-based recommendations about indications, prescription, monitoring and discontinuation of oxygen therapy in acute care. The main indication for O2 therapy is hypoxemia. In acute care both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia should be avoided. Hyperoxemia also seems to be associated with increased mortality, especially in patients with hypercapnia. The guideline provides recommended target oxygen saturation for acute medicine without differentiating between diagnoses. Target ranges for oxygen saturation are based depending on ventilation status risk for hypercapnia. The guideline provides an overview of available oxygen delivery systems and includes recommendations for their selection based on patient safety and comfort.

CONCLUSION

This is the first national guideline on the use of oxygen in acute care. It addresses health care professionals using oxygen in acute out-of-hospital and in-hospital settings.

Cerebral oximetry monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy during adult procedural sedation: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate the effect of adult procedural sedation on cerebral oxygenation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (rSo₂ levels), and to assess whether respiratory depression occurring during procedural sedation was associated with decreases in cerebral oxygenation.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational preliminary study on a convenience sample of adult patients (>18 years) undergoing unscheduled procedural sedation in the ED from August 2017 to September 2018 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The primary outcome measures were rSo₂ values by level of sedation achieved and the incidence of cerebral hypoxaemia during procedural sedation (absolute rSo₂ ≤60 or decrease ≥20% from baseline). The secondary outcome is the decrease in rSo₂ during episodes of respiratory adverse events (AEs), defined by respiratory depression requiring supportive airway measures.

RESULTS

We enrolled 100 patients (53% female). The median (IQR) rSo₂ values (%) by each level of sedation achieved on the Observer Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAAS) scale 1-5, respectively, were 74 (69-79), 74 (70-79), 74 (69-79), 75 (69-80), 72 (68-76). The incidence of cerebral hypoxaemia at any point within the sedation (absolute rSo₂ <60%) was 10/100 (10%); 2 out of 10 had rSo₂ reduction more than 20% from baseline value; the median (IQR) observed minimum rSo₂ in these patients was 58 (56-59). We observed respiratory depression in 65 patients via standard monitoring; of these, 39 (60%) required at least one supportive airway measure, meeting the definition of a respiratory AE. During these AEs, 15% (6/39) demonstrated cerebral hypoxaemia with a median (IQR) minimum rSo₂ of 58 (57-59). Four patients (4%) had cerebral hypoxaemia without a respiratory AE.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral oximetry may represent a useful tool for procedural sedation safety research to detect potential subclinical changes that may be associated with risk, but appears neither sensitive nor specific for routine use in clinical practice.

[German S3 Guideline - Oxygen Therapy in the Acute Care of Adult Patients]

BACKGROUND

 Oxygen (O₂) is a drug with specific biochemical and physiologic properties, a range of effective doses and may have side effects. In 2015, 14 % of over 55 000 hospital patients in the UK were using oxygen. 42 % of patients received this supplemental oxygen without a valid prescription. Healthcare professionals are frequently uncertain about the relevance of hypoxemia and have low awareness about the risks of hyperoxemia. Numerous randomized controlled trials about targets of oxygen therapy have been published in recent years. A national guideline is urgently needed.

METHODS

 A S3-guideline was developed and published within the Program for National Disease Management Guidelines (AWMF) with participation of 10 medical associations. Literature search was performed until Feb 1st 2021 to answer 10 key questions. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) System ("The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence") was used to classify types of studies in terms of validity. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used and for assessing the quality of evidence and for grading guideline recommendation and a formal consensus-building process was performed.

RESULTS

 The guideline includes 34 evidence-based recommendations about indications, prescription, monitoring and discontinuation of oxygen therapy in acute care. The main indication for O₂ therapy is hypoxemia. In acute care both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia should be avoided. Hyperoxemia also seems to be associated with increased mortality, especially in patients with hypercapnia. The guideline provides recommended target oxygen saturation for acute medicine without differentiating between diagnoses. Target ranges for oxygen saturation are depending on ventilation status risk for hypercapnia. The guideline provides an overview of available oxygen delivery systems and includes recommendations for their selection based on patient safety and comfort.

CONCLUSION

 This is the first national guideline on the use of oxygen in acute care. It addresses healthcare professionals using oxygen in acute out-of-hospital and in-hospital settings. The guideline will be valid for 3 years until June 30, 2024.

An update on pediatric sedation techniques in nonoperating room locations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review advancements in care for pediatric patients in nonoperating room settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advances in patient monitoring technology, utilization of Child Life specialists, and alternative staffing models are helping anesthesia providers meet the rising demand for coverage of pediatric nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) cases. The Wake Up Safe and Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium registries are exploring outcome measures regarding the safety of pediatric anesthesia in off-site locations and have reported an increased risk for severe respiratory and cardiac adverse events when compared to OR anesthesia sites. Additionally, malpractice claims for NORA have a higher proportion of claims for death than claims in operating rooms.

SUMMARY

Pediatric NORA requires thorough preparation, flexibility, and vigilance to provide safe anesthesia care to children in remote locations. Emerging techniques to reduce anesthetic exposure, improve monitoring, and alternative staffing models are expanding the boundaries of pediatric NORA to provide a safer, more satisfying experience for diagnostic and interventional procedures.

Randomized Double-blind Trial of Intramuscular Droperidol, Ziprasidone, and Lorazepam for Acute Undifferentiated Agitation in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

The optimal agent to treat acute agitation in the emergency department (ED) has not been determined. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular droperidol, ziprasidone, and lorazepam for acute agitation in the ED.

METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind trial of ED patients with acute agitation requiring parenteral sedation. The study was conducted under exception from informed consent (21 CFR 50.24) from July 2004 to March 2005. Patients were randomized to receive 5 mg of droperidol, 10 mg of ziprasidone, 20 mg of ziprasidone, or 2 mg of lorazepam intramuscularly. We recorded Altered Mental Status Scale (AMSS) scores, nasal end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂ ), and pulse oximetry (SpO₂ ) at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes as well as QTc durations and dysrhythmias. Respiratory depression was defined as a change in ETCO₂ consistent with respiratory depression or SpO₂  < 90%. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients adequately sedated (AMSS ≤ 0) at 15 minutes.

RESULTS

We enrolled 115 patients. Baseline AMSS scores were similar between groups. For the primary outcome, adequate sedation at 15 minutes, droperidol administration was effective in 16 of 25 (64%) patients, compared to seven of 28 (25%) for 10 mg of ziprasidone, 11 of 31 (35%) for 20 mg of ziprasidone, and nine of 31 (29%) for lorazepam. Pairwise comparisons revealed that droperidol was more effective that the other medications, with 39% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3% to 54%) more compared to 20 mg of ziprasidone and 33% (95% CI = 8% to 58%) more compared to lorazepam. There was no significant difference between groups in need of additional rescue sedation. Numerically, respiratory depression was lower with droperidol (3/25 [12%]) compared to 10 mg of ziprasidone (10/28 [36%]), 20 mg of ziprasidone (12/31 [39%]), or lorazepam (15/31 [48%]). One patient receiving 20 mg of ziprasidone required intubation to manage an acute subdural hematoma. No patients had ventricular dysrhythmias. QTc durations were similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Droperidol was more effective than lorazepam or either dose of ziprasidone for the treatment of acute agitation in the ED and caused fewer episodes of respiratory depression.

Decreased CO2 Levels as Indicators of Possible Mechanical Ventilation-Induced Hyperventilation in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Six months since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the pandemic continues to grow worldwide, although the outbreak in Wuhan, the worst-hit area, has been controlled. Thus, based on the clinical experience in Wuhan, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between the patient's CO₂ levels and prognosis.

Methods: COVID-19 patients' information was retrospectively collected from medical records at the Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine the correlation between decreased CO₂ levels and disease severity or mortality risk. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was coupled with the log-rank test to understand COVID-19 progression in patients with decreased CO₂ levels. Curve fitting was used to confirm the correlation between computed tomography scores and CO₂ levels.

Results: Cox regression analysis showed that the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients correlated with decreased CO₂ levels. The adjusted hazard ratios for decreased CO₂ levels in COVID-19 patients were 8.710 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.773–27.365, P < 0.001], and 4.754 (95% CI: 1.380–16.370, P = 0.013). The adjusted odds ratio was 0.950 (95% CI: 0.431–2.094, P = 0.900). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with decreased CO₂ levels had a higher risk of mortality.

Conclusions: Decreased CO₂ levels increased the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients, which might be caused by hyperventilation during mechanical ventilation. This finding provides important insights for clinical treatment recommendations.

Patient SafetyNet for the Evaluation of Postoperative Respiratory Status by Nurses: A Presurvey and Postsurvey Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this pre-post survey study was to assess the effect of the Patient SafetyNet system (Masimo Corp, Irvine, CA) on postoperative respiratory evaluation by nurses in general wards. Patient SafetyNet is a wireless monitoring system that evaluates respiratory rate and percutaneous oxygen saturation.

DESIGN

Survey of nurses at a single medical center.

METHODS

Staff nurses (n = 75) were queried using a questionnaire asking about methods and problems of postoperative respiratory monitoring, usefulness of this system, and suggestions about suitable cases of this system.

FINDINGS

A total of 75 questionnaires were completed and returned. The nurses reported that central/remote (89.3%) or continuous (98.7%) monitoring was useful in the postquestionnaire. Moreover, the average frequency of clinical examination was reduced from 11.0 ± 2.3 to 5.1 ± 1.3. Using the Patient SafetyNet system led to a reported 61.3% reduction in nursing workload related to respiratory assessment postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous monitoring of respiratory rate and percutaneous oxygen saturation after general anesthesia is recommended for patients' safety. Moreover, Patient SafetyNet can decrease the number of physical assessments of respiratory status for postoperative patients in the general wards, resulting in reduction of nurse's workload.

Practice horizons in pediatric nonoperating room anesthesia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Anesthesia outside the operating room is rapidly expanding for adult and pediatric patients. Anesthesia clinicians practicing in this area need a good understanding of the challenges of the NORA environment and the anesthetic risks and perioperative implications of practice so that they can deliver safe care to their patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent reports from large patient databases have afforded anesthesiologists a greater understanding of the risk of NORA when compared to anesthesia in the operating room. Descriptions of advances in team training with the use of simulation have allowed the development of organized procedural teams. With an emphasis on clear communication, an understanding of individual roles, and a patient-centered focus, these teams can reliably develop emergency response procedures, so that critical moments are not delayed in an environment remote from usual assistance.

SUMMARY

With appropriate attention to organizational concerns (i.e. team environment, safety protocols) and unrelenting focus on patient safety, anesthesiologists can assist in safely providing the benefit of cutting-edge technical advancements to pediatric patients in these challenging environments.

Capnography monitoring in procedural intravenous sedation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Currently, procedural sedation in the clinical setting relies heavily on the use of pulse oximetry to monitor hypoxemia. Different studies suggest that incidence of hypoxemia and incidence of arterial oxygen desaturation are reduced by early intervention via capnography monitoring. The aim of this article was to discuss the importance of implementing capnography monitoring during procedural sedations performed in a dental setting and determine whether additional capnographic monitoring reduces the incidence of arterial oxygen desaturation and the overall complications rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two independent reviewers conducted electronic (PubMed and EMBASE) and manual searches up to February 2020. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including both patients under procedural sedation monitored by capnography and oximetry, and reporting the incidence of hypoxemia or episodes of oxygen desaturation were included. Risk ratio was used to compare the outcomes (i.e., the incidence of hypoxemia, the episodes of oxygen desaturation, the detection of apnea, the reduction of events of bradycardia, and hypotension) between patients monitored by capnography and standard approach.

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized clinical trials fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. The analysis revealed that capnography monitoring group showed the lower incidence of hypoxemia (RR 0.76, 95%CI 0.70 to 0.83, p < 0.001) and the episodes of oxygen desaturation (RR 0.79, 95%CI 0.71 to 0.87, p < 0.001) compared with the oximetry monitoring group. Apnea was detected in capnography monitoring earlier than standard monitoring (RR 2.60, 95%CI 2.30 to 2.93, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between capnography and standard monitoring groups in terms of reduction of events of bradycardia (RR 1.17, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.50, p = 0.225) and hypotension (RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.76 to 1.21, p = 0.746).

CONCLUSION

Capnography monitoring reduced incidence of hypoxemia during procedural sedations. Within the limitations of this review, we suggest that the application of capnography during procedural sedation would decrease the frequency of oxygen desaturation events and incidence of hypoxemia.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Training and instructing dental providers on using capnography monitoring would help in reducing adverse events during intravenous sedation.

Effect of propofol-based procedural sedation on risk of adverse events in a French emergency department: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVES

Propofol is widely used today outside the operating room to facilitate painful procedures. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the frequency and type of complications related to a propofol-based procedural sedation protocol used in a French emergency department.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed the records over a 6-year period of all patients-adults and children-who received propofol for procedural sedation according to a pre-established protocol. The frequency and type of adverse events related to this sedation were recorded. Adverse events were classified according to the World Society of Intra-Veinous Anaesthesia International Sedation Task Force as sentinel, moderate, minor, or minimal.

RESULTS

During the study period, 602 patients-395 adults (66%) and 207 (34%) children-received propofol. The main indications for procedural sedation were fracture (n = 327) and dislocation (n = 222) reduction, pleural drain placement (n = 34), and abscess incision (n = 12). Among the 602 consecutive cases, we identified 90 adverse events (14.9%; 95% confidence interval: 12-17.7%). These 90 events were classified as 1 sentinel (hypotension episode), 5 moderate (2 airway obstruction and 3 apnea episodes), 83 minor, and 1 minimal risk-averse events. There were no adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Nearly all of the adverse events in our series were minor. In the French medical system, the use of propofol outside the operating room by non-anesthesiologist physicians for procedural sedation appears safe.

Impact of capnography on patient safety in high- and low-income settings: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Capnography is universally accepted as an essential patient safety monitor in high-income countries (HICs) yet is often unavailable in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Increasing capnography availability has been proposed as one of many potential approaches to improving perioperative outcomes in LMICs. This scoping review summarises the existing literature on the effect of capnography on patient outcomes to help prioritise interventions and guide expansion of capnography in LMICs.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for articles published between 1980 and March 2019. Studies that assessed the impact of capnography on morbidity, mortality, or the use of airway interventions both inside and outside the operating room were included.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 7445 unique papers, and 31 were included for analysis. Retrospective and non-randomised data suggest capnography use may improve outcomes in the operating room, ICU, and emergency department, and during resuscitation. Prospective data on capnography use for procedural sedation suggest earlier detection of hypoventilation and a reduction in haemoglobin desaturation events. No randomised studies exist that assess the impact of capnography on patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Despite widespread endorsement of capnography as a mandatory perioperative monitor, rigorous data demonstrating its impact on patient outcomes are limited, especially in LMICs. The association between capnography use and a reduction in serious airway complications suggests that closing the capnography gap in LMICs may represent a significant opportunity to improve patient safety. Additional data are needed to quantify the global capnography gap and better understand the barriers to capnography scale-up in LMICs.

Capnography monitoring of non-anesthesiologist provided sedation during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement: A prospective, controlled, randomized trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A number of studies were able to show a reduction of hypoxemia episodes during procedural sedation through the use of capnography (CA). The present study investigates the number of episodes of hypoxemia during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement with propofol sedation comparing standard monitoring (SM) versus SM with additional CA surveillance.

METHODS

In this single center randomized controlled trial, 150 patients were prospectively randomized 1:1 in either the SM group or the CA group after stratification for ASA class, PEG method (push or pull method), presence of head and neck tumor, and tracheostomy. CA analysis was performed for all patients but was blinded for the endoscopic team in the SM group.

RESULTS

In the SM group, 57% episodes of hypoxemia (SpO₂  < 90% for > 15 s) and 41% episodes of severe hypoxemia (SpO₂  < 85% for > 15 s) were observed in comparison with 28% and 20% in the CA group, respectively. Odds ratios for hypoxemia and severe hypoxemia were 0.29 (confidence interval 0.15-0.57; P = 0.0005) and 0.35 (confidence interval 0.17-0.73; P = 0.008) in favor of the CA group. On average, CA was able to detect imminent mild and severe hypoxemia 83 and 99 s before standard monitoring. Standard monitoring represented an independent risk factor for hypoxemia and severe hypoxemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory complications of sedation during PEG placement are frequent events. CA is able to detect imminent hypoxemia at an early time point. This allows an early intervention and consecutively the avoidance of mild and severe hypoxemia. Therefore, CA monitoring can be recommended particularly during PEG insertion procedures.

Benefits and harms of capnography during procedures involving moderate sedation: A rapid review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patient safety is a priority in dentistry. Evaluating the benefits and harms associated with the addition of capnography to standard monitoring during moderate sedation for adult patients in the dental practice setting is needed.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors used rapid review methodology to identify relevant systematic reviews, which they updated through a systematic search by using the same search strategy as the identified reviews. The authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar and through the references of the identified systematic reviews, which yielded 2,892 studies. Inclusion criteria were that the article was available in English, was original research in adult humans who had undergone moderate procedural sedation, and involved comparing standard monitoring with the addition of capnography.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were eligible, involving 3,866 adults undergoing procedural sedation. The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the evidence and rate it as being of moderate to low quality because of high risk of bias and heterogeneous effects for the outcomes of hypoxemia and adverse respiratory events. Capnography had higher sensitivity to detect adverse respiratory events than did standard monitoring alone (0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.99) and may reduce the risk of developing hypoxemia by 31% (risk ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.82). Capnography did not affect the risk of developing serious adverse events, procedure time, sedation quality, or patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Adding capnography to standard monitoring of adults during moderate sedation may reduce the risk of developing hypoxemia, increase detection of adverse respiratory events, and is not associated with additional harms. These findings suggest routine use of capnography during moderate sedation has the potential to reduce adverse anesthetic outcomes in dental practice.

Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guideline on Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The purpose of the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guideline on Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is to present recommendations based on current scientific evidence. This guideline seeks to address questions regarding the intraoperative care of patients with OSA, including airway management, anesthetic drug and agent effects, and choice of anesthesia type. Given the paucity of high-quality studies with regard to study design and execution in this perioperative field, recommendations were to a large part developed by subject-matter experts through consensus processes, taking into account the current scientific knowledge base and quality of evidence. This guideline may not be suitable for all clinical settings and patients and is not intended to define standards of care or absolute requirements for patient care; thus, assessment of appropriateness should be made on an individualized basis. Adherence to this guideline cannot guarantee successful outcomes, but recommendations should rather aid health care professionals and institutions to formulate plans and develop protocols for the improvement of the perioperative care of patients with OSA, considering patient-related factors, interventions, and resource availability. Given the groundwork of a comprehensive systematic literature review, these recommendations reflect the current state of knowledge and its interpretation by a group of experts at the time of publication. While periodic reevaluations of literature are needed, novel scientific evidence between updates should be taken into account. Deviations in practice from the guideline may be justifiable and should not be interpreted as a basis for claims of negligence.

Sequence analysis of capnography waveform abnormalities during nurse-administered procedural sedation and analgesia in the cardiac catheterization laboratory

Identifying common patterns in capnography waveform abnormalities and the factors that influence these patterns could yield insights to optimize responses to sedation-induced respiratory depression. Respiratory state sequences for 102 patients who had a procedure in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory with procedural sedation and analgesia were developed by classifying each second of procedures into a state of normal breathing or other capnography waveform abnormalities based on pre-specified cut-offs for respiratory rate and end-tidal CO2 concentration. Hierarchical clustering identified four common patterns in respiratory state sequences, which were characterized by a predominance of the state assigned normal breathing (n = 42; 41%), hypopneic hypoventilation (n = 38; 38%), apnea (n = 15; 15%) and bradypneic hypoventilation (n = 7; 7%). A multivariable distance matrix regression model including demographic and clinical variables explained 28% of the variation in inter-individual differences in respiratory state sequences. Obstructive sleep apnea (R2 = 2.4%; p = 0.02), smoking status (R2 = 2.8%; p = 0.01), Charlson comorbidity index score (R2 = 2.5%; p = 0.021), peak transcutaneous carbon dioxide concentration (R2 = 4.1%; p = 0.002) and receiving an intervention to support respiration (R2 = 5.6%; p = 0.001) were significant covariates but each explained only small amounts of the variation in respiratory state sequences. Oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) was rare (n = 3; 3%) and not associated with respiratory state sequence trajectories.

Capnography Monitoring During Procedural Sedation and Analgesia

Procedural sedation is used to alleviate pain and anxiety associated with diagnostic procedures in the acute care setting. Although commonly used, procedural sedation is not without risk. Key to reducing this risk is early identification of risk factors through presedation screening and monitoring during the procedure. Electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry commonly are monitored. These parameters do not reliably identify airway and ventilation compromise. Capnography measures exhaled carbon dioxide and provides early identification of airway obstruction and hypoventilation. Capnography is useful in patients receiving supplemental oxygen. In these patients, oxygen desaturation reported by pulse oximetry may lag during episodes of respiratory depression and apnea. Capnography indicates partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide and provides information regarding airway integrity and patterns of ventilation compromise. Implementation of this technology may provide an additional layer of safety, reducing risk of respiratory compromise in patients receiving procedural sedation.

Novel mainstream capnometer system is safe and feasible even under CO2 insufflation during ERCP-related procedure: a pilot study

Background and aims

There is a need to safely achieve conscious sedation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We evaluated the safety and feasibility of a mainstream capnometer system to monitor apnoea during ERCP under CO₂ insufflation.

Methods

Non-intubated adult patients undergoing ERCP-related procedures with intravenous sedation were enrolled. End-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) was continuously monitored during the procedure under CO₂ insufflation using a mainstream capnometer system, comprising a capnometer and a specially designed bite block for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and ERCP. Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was also monitored continuously during the procedure. In this study, we evaluated the safety and feasibility of the capnometer system.

Results

Eleven patients were enrolled. Measurement of EtCO₂ concentration was possible from the beginning to the end of the procedure in all 11 cases. There was no measurement failure, dislocation of the bite block, or adverse event related to the bite block. Apnoea linked to hypoxaemia occurred five times (mean duration, 174.4 s).

Conclusion

This study confirmed that apnoea was detected earlier than when using a percutaneous oxygen monitor. Measurement of EtCO₂ concentration using the newly developed mainstream capnometer system was feasible and safe even under CO₂ insufflation.

End-tidal CO2 Monitoring is Available in Most Community Hospitals in a Rural State: A Health System Survey

Introduction

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) provides safe and effective relief for pain, anxiety and discomfort during procedures performed in the emergency department (ED). Our objective was to identify hospital-level factors associated with routine PSA capnography use in the ED.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional telephone survey of ED nurse managers and designees in a Midwestern state. Respondents identified information about hospital infrastructure, physician staffing, family practice (FP) physicians only, board-certified emergency physicians (EPs) only (or both), and critical intervention capabilities. Additional characteristics including ED volume and hospital designation (i.e., rural-urban classification) were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state hospital association database, respectively. The primary outcome was reported use of PSA capnography. We conducted univariate analyses (relative risks, 95% confidence interval [CI]) to identify associations between hospital-level characteristics and PSA capnography use.

Results

We had an overall response rate of 98% (n=118 participating hospitals). The majority of EDs were in rural settings (78%), with a median of 5,057 visits per year (interquartile range 2,823-14,322). Nearly half of the EDs were staffed by FP physicians only, while 16% had board-certified EPs only. Nearly all hospitals (n=114, 97%), reported using continuous capnography for ventilated patients, and 74% reported use of capnography during PSA. Urban hospitals were more likely to use PSA capnography than critical access hospitals (relative risk 1.45; 95% CI, 1.22-1.73), and PSA capnography use increased with each ED volume quartile. Facilities with only EPs were 1.46 (95% CI, 1.15-1.87) times more likely to use PSA capnography than facilities with FP physicians only.

Conclusion

Continuous capnography was available in nearly all EDs, independent of size, location or patient volume. The implementation of capnography during PSA was less penetrant. Smaller, rural departments were less likely than their larger, urban counterparts to implement these national guidelines. Rurality and hospital size may be potential institutional barriers to capnography implementation.

Capnography Detection Using Nasal Cannula Is Superior to Modified Nasal Hood in an Open Airway System: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

The nasal cannula and modified nasal hood are methods used by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to detect expired carbon dioxide during procedural sedation in an open airway system. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the detection of expired carbon dioxide between the nasal cannula and modified nasal hood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors designed a parallel-group randomized controlled trial to compare the nasal cannula and modified nasal hood. Patients presenting to the authors' institution for outpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) using intravenous deep sedation or general anesthesia were randomized to have capnography detection by the modified nasal hood or the nasal cannula. The primary outcome variable was the percentage of accurately captured breaths, as determined by the average number of capnography waveforms per auscultated breath using a precordial stethoscope. The 2 groups were compared using t test.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were screened for enrollment in the study. Twenty-five patients were randomized to the nasal cannula group and 25 patients were randomized to the modified nasal hood group. The proportion of accurate waveforms, recorded as a percentage of total breaths, was 95.7 ± 4.7% for the nasal cannula and 75.8 ± 14.1% for the modified nasal hood (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

When used for capnography for procedural sedation in an open airway system for routine OMS, the nasal cannula accurately recorded more breaths than the modified nasal hood.

Topical Pharyngeal Lidocaine Reduces Respiratory Adverse Events During Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopies Under Ketamine Sedation in Children

BACKGROUND

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGEs) performed under ketamine sedation may increase the risk of respiratory adverse events (RAEs) due to pharyngeal stimulation. Topical lidocaine prevents general anesthesia-induced laryngospasm.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine whether topical lidocaine may reduce the incidence of RAEs induced by pharyngeal stimulation in UGEs performed on children sedated with ketamine.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center prospective study. We included every patient admitted for an elective diagnostic UGE under ketamine sedation who received lidocaine prior to the technique. Patients requiring any other medication were excluded. Our main outcome measure was the number of desaturation episodes. We then compared these results with those obtained in an historic group who did not receive topical lidocaine, in which we registered a total of 54 desaturation episodes.

RESULTS

In total, 88 children (52.3% boys) were included. The median age was 7 years [interquartile range (IQR) 3-11]. The mean duration of the procedure was 6.5 ± 2.4 min, and the median initial ketamine dose was 1.76 mg/kg (IQR 1.56-2.03). The total number of desaturation episodes was 3 (3.4%), and two of these occurred prior to the introduction of the endoscope. This result represents a lower incidence than in previously reported series, and a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) with respect to the 54 RAEs registered in the historic group of 87 children.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical lidocaine premedication significantly reduced the incidence of RAEs in children during UGEs under ketamine sedation. Our findings should be confirmed by a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Capnography Monitoring for Patients Undergoing Moderate Sedation: An SGNA Fellowship Project

The purpose of this Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Fellowship project was to determine whether capnography is more accurate than oximetry in identifying symptoms of respiratory depression in patients undergoing moderate sedation. Capnography provides an early warning of respiratory depression and airway compromise, especially when the medications used for sedation include opiates and benzodiazepines. It is a standard of care according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists that should be adopted in order to provide the safest possible environment for the delivery of moderate sedation. During this project, the nursing staff were educated on the importance and usage of capnography. Evidence was gathered that helped show that by using capnography, nurses were able to identify signs of respiratory depression earlier and more frequently than with the use of oximetry and cardiac monitoring alone.

Correlation between minute carbon dioxide elimination and pulmonary blood flow in single-ventricle patients after stage 1 palliation and 2-ventricle patients with intracardiac shunts: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Assessment of pulmonary blood flow and cardiac output is critical in the postoperative management of patients with single-ventricle physiology or 2-ventricle physiology with intracardiac shunting. Currently, such hemodynamic data are only obtainable by invasive procedures, such as cardiac catheterization or the use of a pulmonary artery catheter. Ready availability of such information, especially if attainable noninvasively, could be a valuable addition to postoperative management.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between volume of CO₂ elimination obtained by volumetric capnography and pulmonary blood flow in pediatric patients with single-ventricle physiology after stage 1 palliation as well as in patients with other cardiac lesions associated with intracardiac shunting.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included children with congenital or acquired heart disease who underwent cardiac catheterization as part of clinical care. Cardiac output, pulmonary blood flow, and volume of CO₂ elimination were simultaneously collected. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to assess correlation between measurements after controlling for minute ventilation.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were enrolled and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 8) included single-ventricle patients after stage 1 palliation. Group 2 (n = 10) patients had structural heart disease with 2 ventricles and intracardiac shunting. Group 3 (n = 17) had structurally normal hearts. Among Group 1 patients, the correlation coefficients (R² ) between volume of CO₂ elimination and pulmonary blood flow and volume of CO₂ elimination and cardiac output were 0.60 (P = .02) 95% CI [0.01-0.79] and 0.29 (P = .74) 95% CI [-0.91 - 0.86], respectively. In patients with 2 ventricles associated with intracardiac shunts (Group 2), the correlation coefficients between volume of CO₂ elimination and pulmonary blood flow and volume of CO₂ elimination and cardiac output were 0.86 (P = .001) 95% CI [0.53 - 0.97] and 0.73 (P = .001) 95% CI [0.29 - 0.95], respectively. Among Group 3 patients, the correlation coefficient between volume of CO₂ elimination and pulmonary blood flow was 0.66 (P = .038) 95% CI [0.29 - 0.87].

CONCLUSION

Volume of CO₂ elimination may be a surrogate marker of pulmonary blood flow in single-ventricle patients and patients with biventricular physiology with intracardiac shunting. Also, among patients with normal cardiac anatomy, volume of CO₂ elimination may be a marker of cardiac output.

[Efficacy, safety and satisfaction of sedation-analgesia in Spanish emergency departments]

OBJECTIVES

To offer analgesia and sedation should be a priority in paediatric emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the sedation-analgesia procedure, as well as the satisfaction of the doctors, patients and parents.

METHODS

A multicentre, observational, and prospective analytical study was conducted on the sedation-analgesia procedure performed on children younger than 18 years old in 18 paediatric emergency departments in Spain from February 2015 until January 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 658 procedures were recorded. The effectiveness was good in 483 cases (76.1%; 95%CI: 72.7-79.4%), partial in 138 (21.7%; 95%CI: 18.5-24.9%), and poor in 14 (2.2%; 95%CI: 1.1-3.4). The effectiveness was better when the doctor in charge was an emergency paediatrician (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: 1.10-8.95), and when a deeper level of sedation was achieved (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.68-3.35). Fifty two children (8.4%) developed adverse drug reactions, more usually gastrointestinal, neurological or respiratory ones (89.9% were resolved in <2h). One patient was intubated. The older child and a deeper level of sedation were found to be independent risk factors for adverse reactions (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.09-1.28 and OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.22-2.83, respectively). Thirteen children (5%) developed late adverse drug reactions, more commonly, dizziness and nauseas. A combination of midazolam/ketamine had been used in all the cases (RR: 24.46; 95%CI: 11.78-50.76). The perceived satisfaction level (0-10) was obtained from 604 doctors (mean: 8.54; SD: 1.95), 526 parents (mean: 8.86; SD: 1.49), and 402 children (mean: 8.78; SD: 1.70).

CONCLUSIONS

The sedation-analgesia procedure performed in paediatric emergency departments by trained paediatricians seems to be useful, effective and safe, as well as satisfactory for all participants.

Practice Guidelines for Moderate Procedural Sedation and Analgesia 2018

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Standards of care for procedural sedation: Focus on differing perceptions among societies

Adherence to established standards of care is important for anaesthesiologists to avoid undesirable legal consequences of their actions. The judiciary lays stress on the need to perpetuate healthy doctor–patient correspondence, good documentation, and to bestow a justifiable standard of care. But what defines standard of care and who delineates such standards is something that lacks clarity. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recently released updated guidelines on the use of sedation and anaesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Almost simultaneously, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has brought out practice guidelines for moderate sedation and analgesia. In contrast to the ASA recommendations, ASGE does not view capnography as an essential monitoring modality for endoscopic procedures with moderate sedation because it has apparently not been shown to improve patient safety. However, they do agree that evidence supports its deployment during deep sedation. These differences in views between guidelines published by societies of substantial academic and clinical standing can confuse the agreement over what constitutes standard of care for the particular speciality. It is the expectation that guidelines and consensus statements in anaesthesiology be preferably issued by national or international organizations of the same speciality.

Using continuous quantitative capnography for emergency department procedural sedation: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis

End-tidal CO₂ has been advocated to improve safety of emergency department (ED) procedural sedation by decreasing hypoxia and catastrophic outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of routine use of continuous waveform quantitative end-tidal CO₂ monitoring for ED procedural sedation in prevention of catastrophic events. Markov modeling was used to perform cost-effectiveness analysis to estimate societal costs per prevented catastrophic event (death or hypoxic brain injury) during routine ED procedural sedation. Estimates for efficacy of capnography and safety of sedation were derived from the literature. This model was then applied to all procedural sedations performed in US EDs with assumptions selected to maximize efficacy and minimize cost of implementation. Assuming that capnography decreases the catastrophic adverse event rate by 40.7% (proportional to efficacy in preventing hypoxia), routine use of capnography would decrease the 5-year estimated catastrophic event rate in all US EDs from 15.5 events to 9.2 events (difference 6.3 prevented events per 5 years). Over a 5-year period, implementing routine end-tidal CO₂ monitoring would cost an estimated $2,830,326 per prevented catastrophic event, which translates into $114,007 per quality-adjusted life-year. Sensitivity analyses suggest that reasonable assumptions continue to estimate high costs of prevented catastrophic events. Continuous waveform quantitative end-tidal CO₂ monitoring is a very costly strategy to prevent catastrophic complications of procedural sedation when applied routinely in ED procedural sedations.

Capnography sensor use is associated with reduction of adverse outcomes during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures with sedation administration

Background

Evidence to date suggests that capnography monitoring during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures (GEP) reduces the incidence of hypoxemia, but the association of capnography monitoring with the incidence of other adverse outcomes surrounding these procedures has not been well studied. Our aims were to estimate the incidence of pharmacological rescue events and death at discharge from an inpatient or outpatient hospitalization where GEP was performed with sedation, and to determine if capnography monitoring was associated with reduced incidence of these adverse outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective Premier Database analysis included medical inpatients and all outpatients undergoing GEP with sedation. Patients were grouped as follows: (1) pulse oximetry (SpO₂) only, (2) capnography only, (3) SpO₂ with capnography, and (4) neither SpO₂ nor capnography. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity-score matching were used to compare patients with capnography sensor use to patients with only SpO₂ sensor use. Outcome measures included the incidence of pharmacological rescue events, as defined by administration of naloxone and/or flumazenil, and death.

Results

Two hundred fifty eight thousand and two hundred sixty two inpatients and 3,807,151 outpatients were analyzed. For inpatients, capnography monitoring was associated with a 47% estimated reduction in the odds of death at discharge (OR: 0.53 [95% CI: 0.40–0.70]; P < 0.0001) and a non-significant 10% estimated reduction in the odds of pharmacological rescue event at discharge (0.91 [0.65–1.3]; P = 0.5661). For outpatients, capnography monitoring was associated with a 61% estimated reduction in the odds of pharmacological rescue event at discharge (0.39 [0.29, 0.52]; P < 0.0001) and a non-significant 82% estimated reduction in the odds of death at discharge (0.18 [0.02, 1.99]; P = 0.16).

Conclusions

In hospital medical inpatients and all outpatients undergoing GEP performed with sedation, capnography monitoring was associated with a reduced likelihood of pharmacological rescue events in outpatients and death in inpatients when assessed at discharge. Despite the limitations of the retrospective data analysis methodology, the use of capnography during these procedures is recommended.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12871-017-0453-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.