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A Comprehensive Educational Website (established 1998)

Designed, Produced, and maintained (Edition 12, 2022) by 

Bhavani Shankar Kodali MD

Updated September 2022

A Normal Capnogram in adult

Encyclopedia of capnograms

Bhavani Shankar Kodali MD

A Normal Capnogram in adult

nromalbroncho.gif

Capnograms in pregnancy

Normal capnogram

Capnogram with increased phase III slope

Capnogram with phase IV
nonpregnant.gif

 



pregnant.gif

 

Details

 

pregnantphase4.gif

Capnograms in pediatrics

Capnograms in infants and children can have the following format under normal circumstances due to faster respiratory rates, smaller tidal volumes, and relatively longer response time of capnographs (dispersion of gases in side-stream capnographs). Baseline can be elevated, with a prolongation of phase II, increase in the slope of phase III and prolongation of descending limb. Occasionally the alveolar plateau may be short- sine wave capnograms).
nromalbroncho.gif
pd2.gif
pd1.gif
responsecapn.gif
pd3.gif

pd4.gif
 

Airway obtruction / Bronchospasm

Phase II and phase III are prolonged
bronch.gif

 

Ventilation


Normal

Most commonly seen capnograms
nromalbroncho.gif
Spontaneous ventilation

Short alveolar plateau

pd1.gif
Hyperventilation

Baseline at zero, but height is reduced gradually


hyperventilation.gif
Hypoventilation

Base line at zero, but height is increased gradually

hypoventilation.gif
IMV ventilation

Note IMV breaths interposed with spontaneous ventilation

imv.gif
Apnea

Self explanatory


capapnea.gif

 

Ripple effect - Cardiogenic Oscillations

Ripples on the alveolar plateau and descending limb due to movement of gas in the airway as a result of cardiogenic oscillations
ripple.gif

Curare Cleft

A cleft on the alveolar plateau as result of the patient attempting to breath, suggesting recovery from muscle relaxants. This can also result from surgical manipulation of abdomen.
curare.gif

Curare Cleft as a result of partial disconnection of main stream CO2 sensor

A cleft on the alveolar plateau as result of a partial disconnection at the main stream CO2 sensor has been reported by Tripathi et al (Anesthesiology 1998;88:1117-19)
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