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Extremity Tourniquet Deflation Increases End-Tidal Pco₂

Received from the Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Abstract

Since the advent of capnography, anesthesiologists have been better able to measure and detect acute perioperative variations in end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (ET Pco₂). We have recently observed an acute increase in ET Pco₂ after the release of an extremity tourniquet during orthopedic surgery. A sudden increase in Pco₂ may have detrimental effects in certain patients, such as head-injured patients with an elevated intracranial pressure. These patients frequently undergo orthopedic and other procedures on the extremities with an arterial tourniquet in place. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of tourniquet release on ET Pco₂ measurements in patients undergoing extremity surgery requiring use of a tourniquet.

Key Words: EQUIPMENT, TOURNIQUET—effects of deflation.

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				J. L. Deloughry and R. Griffiths Arterial tourniquets CEACCP, April 1, 2009; 9(2): 56 - 60. [Full Text] [PDF]