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palerider wrote:this might be informative: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444326

Article conclusion is interesting - "Transcutaneous CO2 monitoring provides a more accurate estimate of Paco2 than ET-CO2 monitoring during neurosurgical procedures." Will see if they have tried this in our neuro OR. Last I checked they were still using ET. Finger probes generally have a shaky reputation as being sensitive to movement, falling off, problems with scars/nail,calluses polish, etc. (they are still ubiquitous for O2 sat and pulse, but this is an 'easy' measurement) However as they point out in the article, ETCO2 is not exactly the same thing as PaCO2 (arterial partial pressure of CO2) either.

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shot ... -new-place

One addition to why I mentioned issues with sleep studies and almost all lack of CO2 monitoring.

I am so glad this is being discussed. We had a friend with end stage COPD, his O2 levels would be fine, but when blood was tested his CO2 was high (causing all kinds of problems). Somewhere I read about blowing into balloons to help with the exhalation. Apparently it's more difficult to exhale than inhale??? Or does this only apply to COPD patients??? I would love to monitor my husband's CO2 while we are monitoring his apnea...