Featured Articles: Monthly Infographic

Nathan, Naveen MD

Author Information

Attribution: The Infographic is composed by Naveen Nathan MD.

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Anesthesia & Analgesia | DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006729 Metrics

Access to safe surgical care continues to suffer large disparities between high-income countries versus middle- and low-income countries. The vast majority of the world’s population cannot be guaranteed a perianesthetic standard of care that predicts desirable outcomes. Through tremendous efforts to close this gap, pulse oximetry has successfully been introduced into resource-poor environments over the last decade. Although the oximeter is undoubtedly a versatile monitor, much headway is still needed in bringing expired carbon dioxide monitoring to these countries. Capnography has been proven to improve outcomes in operating theaters, critical care units and emergency departments. Recently, the Smile Train-Lifebox Capnography Project aimed to solve this problem. Seven manufacturers submitted 13 carbon dioxide monitoring devices for consideration. The ideal device would serve its purpose while being cost effective and adhering to the minimum WFSA standards. Piloting the use of capnography in Malawi, the working group demonstrated substantial improvements in patient care within months. Three-quarters of the providers reported recognizing complications including 44 esophageal intubations and 90% of providers believed that capnography had saved lives. Solving the large capnography gap in LMICs stands to markedly improve patient safety worldwide. The reader is strongly encouraged to review the cited articles for an in-depth understanding of the concepts summarized in this infographic.

1. Evans FM, et al. The capnography project. Anesth Analg. 2023;137:922–928. 2. Wollner EA, et al. Capnography—an essential monitor, everywhere. A narrative review. Anesth Analg. 2023;137:934–942. 3. McDougall R, et al. Getting capnography to the front lines. Anesth Analg. 2023;137:929–933. Copyright © 2023 International Anesthesia Research Society