Continuous, transcutaneous carbon-dioxide monitoring to avoid hypercapnia in complex catheter ablations under conscious sedation

Abstract

Background Ablation of complex cardiac arrhythmias requires an immobilized patient. For a successful and safe intervention and for patient comfort, this can be achieved by conscious sedation. Administered sedatives and analgesics have respiratory depressant side effects and require close monitoring. Purpose We investigated the feasibility and accuracy of an additional, continuous transcutaneous carbon-dioxide partial pressure (tpCO2) measurement during conscious sedation in complex electrophysiological catheter ablation procedures. Methods We evaluated the accuracy and additional value of tpCO2 detection by application of a Severinghaus electrode in comparison to arterial and venous blood gas analyses. Results We included 110 patients in this prospective observational study. Arterial pCO2 (paCO2) and tpCO2 showed good correlation throughout the procedures (r=0.60–0.87, p<0.005). Venous pCO2 (pvCO2) were also well correlated to transcutaneous values (r=0.65–0.85, p<0.0001). Analyses of the difference of pvCO2 and tpCO2 measurements showed a tolerance within <10mmHg in up to 96–98% of patients. Hypercapnia (pCO2<70mmHg) was detected more likely and earlier by continuous tpCO2 monitoring compared to half-hourly pvCO2 measurements. Conclusion Continuous tpCO2 monitoring is feasible and precise with good correlation to arterial and venous blood gas carbon-dioxide analysis during complex catheter ablations under conscious sedation and may contribute to additional safety. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None