Ask a doctor on the topic of Anesthesiology

Translate the following text to English: Dr. Berg

February 6, 2015 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Dear Dr. Berg,

Thank you for your response. Yes, I will call you on Sunday, but I have a very important question that I would appreciate a brief answer to. I am not able to wait until Sunday...

You mentioned that the ETCO2 was approximately 5-6 mmHg. Shouldn't the normal ETCO2 value be between 35-45 mmHg? Is an ETCO2 value of 5-6 mmHg really normal?

Is it possible for an ETCO2 value of 0 to indicate apnea? Does a possible respiratory arrest always occur together with a cardiac arrest, or can there be apnea without a cardiac arrest?

I would appreciate a brief response. Thank you and best regards.

Regarding the anesthesia protocol, unfortunately there is something concerning going on. I have read the anesthesia protocol multiple times, and it only notes that I had an epidural, with no mention of anesthesia or any complications. It also states that I was allegedly transferred to the monitoring room around 22:25, which is strange considering the poor blood gas analyses at that time. I can send you the anesthesia protocol if you would like.

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello, I have not received a call back from you until today at 9 PM.

Regarding your questions:

I'll start from the back: Respiratory arrest can occur without cardiac arrest. However, after 3-6 (15) minutes of respiratory arrest, there is always also a cardiac arrest, as the oxygen reserves in the lungs are depleted. (Otherwise, one could not dive, for a dive without equipment involves an artificial respiratory arrest. Pearl divers, with training, can go almost 15 minutes without breathing).
Continuation to follow due to time lock... Regards, R. Berg