gas during anesthesia. Anesth Analg 1983;62:1065-9.with maximum measurement of Pam2 often over-or underestimated Paco2.Mean estimated Paco2 from calibrated P(a-pe)co2 varied Variation in PCOZ between arterial blood and peak expired torr, Calibration of P(a-pe)co, based on a single initial Arterial PcOz (Pace,) can be continuously and noninvasively estimated by monitoring peak expired CO, tension (Ppeco,). The practice of calibrating the estimate by an initial measurement of Paco2 assumes that the difference in PCO, tension between arterial blood and expired gas P(ape)coz remains constant. We examined the stability of P(afrom -7.9-6.4 torr with extreme estimates and duration of anesthesia, variations in ventilation, blood pressure, Ppeco, or temperature. We conclude that estimation of Paco, by monitoring Ppeco2 is not invariably reliable. pe)co, during anesthesia in 15 patients undergoing major surgery. Mean P(a-peko2 values rangedfrom 0.8-7.9 forr