Endtidal carbon dioxide monitoring in children with congenital heart disease during sedation for cardiac catheterization by nonanesthesiologists.

Background: This prospective observational study compared endtidal carbon dioxide (P(E)CO(2)) with blood gas carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) values in children sedated by nonanesthesiologists for cardiac catheterization.

Methods: A nasal cannula designed to obtain gas sampling simultaneously from over the mouth and nares was taped into place after assuring a good waveform. Patients' cardiac lesions, site of blood gas sampling and P(E)CO(2)were recorded.