Block F E
Department of Anesthesiology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
J Clin Monit. 1988 Jul;4(3):213-4. doi: 10.1007/BF01621819.
The author suggests that the carbon dioxide waveform should be displayed, as are the electrocardiogram and arterial pressure waveforms. He argues that a carbon dioxide analyzer that does not provide a waveform is not of value, as subtle changes in the carbon dioxide waveform can reflect impending problems. Only when a plateau is present in the capnogram can one be certain that end-tidal gas is being measured, and the author asserts that the presence or absence of this plateau can be detected only by visually inspecting the waveform.
