Determinación de los niveles basales de Co2 espirado mediante capnografía, en pacientes quirúrgicos. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso. Cuenca, 2019-2020

Abstract

Introduction: In anesthesiology and in critically ill patients, it is necessary to maintain the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in normal parameters, whose alteration influences morbidity and mortality. The pressure values of CO2 and Exhaled CO2 (ETCO2) have been shown to vary depending on atmospheric pressure. In the city of Cuenca at 2560 meters above sea level (masl), there is still no study that establishes normal values. Objective: To determine the basal levels of expired CO2 in surgical patients at the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital. Methodology: An observational, descriptive study with 534 patients without comorbidities, who underwent surgery at the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital in Cuenca Ecuador. To collect data, a thermometer, barometer, humidity sensor, vital signs monitor and capnograph were used; they were recorded in a form, they were analyzed in the IBM SPSS version 22 software with descriptive statistics. Results: The mean expired ETCO2 was 28.36 ± 1.81 mmHg, 95% CI (28.277 - 28.434). Alveolar pressure was 68,116 ± 3,897 95% CI (28,277 - 28,435). There was a significant difference (p <0.05) in the CO2 means according to respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and whether it was elective or emergency surgery. Conclusions: There is agreement with other studies that indicate that the higher the ETCO2 levels are lower, the range obtained could be taken into account as a reference for the adequate management of ETCO2 in the inhabitants of this geographical area.