Technician’s Guide to Capnography

The measurement of end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) is currently the optimal method of non-invasively and continuously monitoring the adequacy of ventilation and circulation in veterinary patients. The ETCO2 monitor measures expired carbon dioxide. This measurement can be used to evaluate adequacy of ventilation, metabolic status and circulatory status. (Moens, 2010) This is different than the pulse oximeter which is used to measure hemoglobin and saturation with oxygen.