Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Hypercapnia is a central component of diverse respiratory disorders, while 'permissive hypercapnia' is frequently used in ventilatory strategies for patients with severe respiratory failure. This review will present data from recent studies relating to hypercapnia, focusing on issues that are of importance to anesthesiologists caring for the surgical and/or critically ill patient. ⋯ The mechanisms of action of hypercapnia and acidosis continue to be elucidated, and this knowledge is central to determining the safety and therapeutic utility of hypercapnia in protective lung ventilatory strategies.
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Describe the importance of monitoring dead space during thoracic surgery, specifically during one-lung ventilation. ⋯ Monitoring dead space helps anesthesiologists monitor the status of the lung and find appropriate ventilatory settings during thoracic surgeries.