Arterial to end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension difference during anaesthesia for tubal ligation

Abstract

Twenty‐nine patients scheduled for postnatal tubal ligation by minilaparotomy under general anaesthesia were studied. Arterial and end‐tidal carbon dioxide tensions were determined during anaesthesia. The mean arterial to end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension difference was 0.08 kPa (SEM 0.05). Thirty‐one percent of the patients had negative values. These results were similar to those observed during Caesarean section. The physiological changes responsible for reduced arterial to end‐tidal carbon dioxide values, persist into the postnatal period. It is predicted from the regression analysis of the time between delivery and anaesthesia for tubal ligation and arterial to end‐tidal CO2 difference, that the values might return to normal nonpregnant levels by 8 days following delivery. Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved