Evaluation of the relationship between ETCO2 and delta CO2 pressure and the severity of disease in COVID-19 pneumonia

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 22 - 26, 28.03.2025

Mehmet Emin Altun , Emine Emektar , Şeref Kerem Çorbacıoğlu , Yunsur Çevik

https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1322620

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂) and deltaCO₂ levels in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and examine the relationship between these two parameters and the severity of disease.
Methods: Patients with COVID-19 were included in the study. ETCO₂ values were recorded and deltaCO₂ values were calculated. They were divided into two groups: mild-moderate and severe patients. An analysis was performed to determine the threshold values for ETCO₂ and deltaCO₂ in mild-moderate and severe patient groups.
Results: A total of 83 patients were included in our study. Of the patients, 43 (51.8%) patients had mild/moderate disease and 40 (48.2%) had severe disease. The AUC value was 0.910 for ETCO₂ (95% CI; 0.840-0.980, p<0.001) and was 0.927 for DeltaCO₂ (95% CI; 0.864-0.990, p<0.001). To discriminate patients in the severe group, considering a best cut-off value of 22.5 for ETCO₂, the sensitivity and specificity values for this value were 95% and 80%, respectively. Considering a best cut-off value of 11.1 for deltaCO₂, the sensitivity and specificity values for this value were 95% and 77%, respectively. As a result of the DeLong test, the predictive values of deltaCO₂ and ETCO₂ for the severe patient group was found to be better than and similar to PCO2.
Conclusion: We showed that low ETCO₂ and high deltaCO₂ values are safe parameters that can be used to predict the severity of disease in patients who apply and are monitored due to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Keywords

COVID-19, ETCO₂, deltaCO₂, ARDS, viral pneumonia

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Atatürk Sanatoryum Training and Research Hospital Ethics Committee, Noninvasive Clinic Ethics Committee (Approval date: 12/12/2020 Number: 2012-KAEK-15/228)

Project Number

yok

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