November 8th will see the commencement of the C2T2C2 study. The aim of this study is to determine the utility of transcutaneous capnometry measurement of arterial carbon dioxide in transported adult patients.
Control of pCO2 is essential in the management of patients at risk of secondary brain injury. At present, end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) is the only means of determining a patient’s CO2 during the transfer period. ETCO2 can vary significantly in patients with lung pathology and only gives a general indication and trend of the patient’s arterial pCO2.
Transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2) on the other hand, has been used for many decades for monitoring neonatal ventilation.
Recent technological advances have seen the development of TcCO2 devices which are smaller, more portable and potentially more reliable enabling their potential use in transported adult patients but are yet to be tested in this environment.
All intubated and ventilated interhospital patients with an arterial line insitu are eligible for the study.
Arterial blood gas analysis at the referring and receiving hospitals will be used as the gold standard.
Non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients and those aged < 18 years are excluded.
Further information can be found on the introductory video and attached study posters (see link below). These are also available in the computer room. https://sydneyhems.com/resources/research-audit/research-resources/transcutaneous-co2-trial-c2t2c2-resources/
Many thanks for your help.
Fraser Magee- Retrieval Registrar, NSW Ambulance Aeromedical Service
Greater Sydney Area HEMS 