Pilot study with air-automated sigmoid capnometry in abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

Abstract
Backgroundandobjective Ischaemic colitis can be a serious complication after aortic surgery. The paucity of clinical symptoms makes its diagnosis particularly difficult and often delayed. Automated on-line tonometry is now proposed to monitor intestinal perfusion. This study was designed to assess the use of semi-continuous sigmoid-to-arterial [P(r-a)CO2] PCO2 gap monitoring in aortic surgery to detect colonic ischaemia.