EtCO2 Trace Loss

🔑 Key Priorities

  • Immediate exclusion of cardiac arrest or major disconnection

  • Manual ventilation while assessing underlying cause

🧠 Team Actions

Role

Task

Team Leader

Lead differential, call for help

Airway Manager

Disconnect + hand ventilate while monitoring chest

Assistant

Check circuit, gas flow, capnograph, monitor

🧭 Management Algorithm

  1. Flatline capnograph (EtCO₂ < 5 mmHg)

  2. Confirm clinical signs: chest rise, pulse, saturation

  3. Disconnect circuit and ventilate manually

  4. Consider causes:

    1. Cardiac arrest

    2. Circuit disconnection or blocked sample line

    3. Severe hypotension / PE / massive air embolism

  5. Restore ventilation and address underlying pathology

🔄 Ideal Crisis Flow

    Sudden EtCO₂ Drop or Flatline Trace
                  ↓
    Confirm Pulse, Chest Rise, Saturation
                  ↓
    Disconnect Circuit + Manual Bag Ventilation
                  ↓
    Rule Out Arrest / Disconnection / Equipment Fault

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