Which capnography value is included in the sepsis criteria?

Which capnography value is included in the sepsis criteria?

• A. <25
• B. >40
• C. 30-35
• D. 50

Answer: (A)

End-tidal CO2 on capnography reflects how well CO2 is being delivered to the lungs, which depends on both ventilation and perfusion. In sepsis, especially if septic shock develops, perfusion drops and less CO2 reaches the lungs, causing a fall in the end-tidal CO2 reading. A reading below 25 mmHg is used in some sepsis criteria because it indicates significant hypoperfusion consistent with septic physiology. Values such as 30–35 mmHg are near normal and don’t signal this perfusion problem, while readings as high as 50 mmHg point to hypoventilation or other issues rather than sepsis-related perfusion failure. Normal capnography is typically around 35–45 mmHg, so a reading under 25 stands out as a clue for potential septic shock.

End-tidal CO2 on capnography reflects how well CO2 is being delivered to the lungs, which depends on both ventilation and perfusion. In sepsis, especially if septic shock develops, perfusion drops and less CO2 reaches the lungs, causing a fall in the end-tidal CO2 reading. A reading below 25 mmHg is used in some sepsis criteria because it indicates significant hypoperfusion consistent with septic physiology. Values such as 30–35 mmHg are near normal and don’t signal this perfusion problem, while readings as high as 50 mmHg point to hypoventilation or other issues rather than sepsis-related perfusion failure. Normal capnography is typically around 35–45 mmHg, so a reading under 25 stands out as a clue for potential septic shock.