Low end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO 2 ) is known to be associated with the low cardiac output. Yet, its clinical utility during suspected intra-anesthetic acute hypersensitivity reactions (AHR) is unclear. In this regard, a recent clinical study analyzed clinical data from 86 patients with confirmed or suspected intra-anesthetic AHR. Consenting patients with clinical signs consistent with intra-anesthetic AHR to a neuromuscular blocking agent were included. Severe AHR was defined as a Grade 3–4 according to the Ring and Messmer classification.
Causes of AHR were explored following recommended guidelines. Key Clinical Findings Among the 86 patients, 50% had severe AHR and an IgE-mediated event was observed in 69%. Occurrence and minimum values of arterial hypotension, hypocapnia and hypoxemia were significantly increased with the severity of AHR. Surprisingly, low etCO 2 was the only…
