Transcutaneous CO2 Monitoring in Adults with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

Abstract

The accuracy of transcutaneous C02 monitoring (Ptc CO2) was studied in 22 subjects suspected of having sleep-related breathing disorders, by comparison with arterial C02 measurements (Pa C02). At rest 40 simultaneous sets of aP C02 and Ptc C02 were obtained. The mean Pa CO2 (+SD) was 5.3+0.9 kPa and Ptc C02 was The ventilatory response to C02 was evaluated by a C02 rebreathing method, and simultaneous measurements of PaCO2> Ptc CO2 and end-tidal PCO2 (PETC02) were made every min. Both PaC02 and PETC02 increased more during the first min of CO, rebreathing than Ptc CO2 (p. Between 1 to 5 min after the start of rebreathing there were no significant differences between the three methods.During sleep there was an increase in Ptc C02 (by 0.1-0.3 kPa) with each ap-neic event, the magnitude of the increase depending on the length and distribution of these events. With repeated long apneas there was a cumulative increase in Ptc CO2, especially during REM sleep. Continuous Ptc CO2 monitoring proved useful in monitoring and diagnosing sleep-related breathing disorders. © 1989, Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.