Therapeutic implications of monitoring end-tidal carbon dioxide in submassive pulmonary embolism

Abstract

While managing submassive pulmonary embolism in Intensive Care Unit, it is always a challenge to identify the parameters to identify the deterioration. It is important to understand it as further therapeutic decision about the use of thrombolytics is based on its recognition. Bedside monitoring of end-tidal carbon dioxide which is readily available, continuous, noninvasive, and nonoperator dependent can be of help in deciding on the need of thrombolytics in such cases before development of hypotension.

Keywords

• Alveolar dead space
• end-tidal carbon dioxide
• submassive pulmonary embolism
• thrombolytics