ICU Cases · Equipment & physics
Hot case — confirming tracheal intubation with waveform capnography
A hot case on confirming ventilation after tracheal intubation with waveform capnography, quantitative versus colorimetric devices, and the limits of capnography.
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Prompt
A hot case on confirming ventilation after tracheal intubation with waveform capnography, quantitative versus colorimetric devices, and the limits of capnography.
Presentation
You are at the bedside immediately after tracheal intubation of a ventilated ICU patient. The nurse asks how you will confirm the tube is in the trachea and the patient is being ventilated.[1]
References3ShowHide
- [1]Ahmad I, El-Boghdadly K, Iliff H, et al. Difficult Airway Society 2025 guidelines for management of unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in adults. British journal of anaesthesia, 2026.PMID 41203471
- [2]Long B, Koyfman A, Vivirito MA Capnography in the Emergency Department: A Review of Uses, Waveforms, and Limitations. The Journal of emergency medicine, 2017.PMID 28993038
- [3]Nassar BS, Schmidt GA Capnography During Critical Illness. Chest, 2016.PMID 26447854