Which end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) value is most likely to indicate adequate CPR quality?

Which end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) value is most likely to indicate adequate CPR quality?

• A. End-tidal CO2 30-40 mmHg is required for ROSC.
• B. End-tidal CO2 has no relation to CPR quality.
• C. End-tidal CO2 > 10-20 mmHg suggests decent CPR quality and potential ROSC.
• D. End-tidal CO2 < 5 mmHg indicates good perfusion.

Answer: (C)

End-tidal CO2 during CPR serves as a real-time indicator of pulmonary blood flow and the effectiveness of chest compressions. When compressions generate better forward blood flow, more CO2 is delivered to the lungs and is exhaled, raising the ETCO2 reading. Therefore, higher ETCO2 values reflect better CPR quality and a greater likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation. A threshold around 10 mmHg suggests adequate perfusion from compressions, and values around 20 mmHg or higher indicate even better perfusion and a higher chance of ROSC. Very low ETCO2 (for example below 5 mmHg) points to poor perfusion and ineffective CPR. While ROSC often leads ETCO2 to rise toward normal levels, there isn’t a strict requirement that ETCO2 must be 30-40 mmHg for ROSC to occur. That’s why the option stating that ETCO2 above roughly 10-20 mmHg indicates decent CPR quality and potential ROSC best captures this relationship.

End-tidal CO2 during CPR serves as a real-time indicator of pulmonary blood flow and the effectiveness of chest compressions. When compressions generate better forward blood flow, more CO2 is delivered to the lungs and is exhaled, raising the ETCO2 reading. Therefore, higher ETCO2 values reflect better CPR quality and a greater likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation. A threshold around 10 mmHg suggests adequate perfusion from compressions, and values around 20 mmHg or higher indicate even better perfusion and a higher chance of ROSC. Very low ETCO2 (for example below 5 mmHg) points to poor perfusion and ineffective CPR. While ROSC often leads ETCO2 to rise toward normal levels, there isn’t a strict requirement that ETCO2 must be 30-40 mmHg for ROSC to occur. That’s why the option stating that ETCO2 above roughly 10-20 mmHg indicates decent CPR quality and potential ROSC best captures this relationship.