NCT07241130

Using End-Tidal CO₂ to Help Diagnose and Monitor Pulmonary Embolism

Assessment of End-Tidal CO₂ Levels in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Pulmonary Embolism

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ataturk University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

Pulmonary embolism (PE) can reduce blood flow in the lungs and impair gas exchange, leading to lower end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) levels. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate whether EtCO₂ can help identify high-risk and intermediate-high-risk patients and monitor early treatment response, especially during thrombolytic therapy. A total of 120 participants were included: high-risk PE, intermediate-high-risk PE patients who received thrombolysis, intermediate-high-risk PE patients treated only with anticoagulation, and healthy controls. The study measured EtCO₂ along with oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, perfusion index, and radiological obstruction scores. By comparing these parameters at diagnosis and during the first 24 hours, the study seeks to determine whether EtCO₂ can serve as a simple, noninvasive marker of disease severity and early hemodynamic improvement in patients with acute PE.

Conditions

• Pulmonary Embolism Acute

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	thrombolytic therapy	Participants received standard clinical management according to current pulmonary embolism guidelines. No intervention was assigned by the investigators.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-01
• Primary completion: 2025-07-30
• Completion: 2025-07-30
• First posted: 2025-11-21
• Last updated: 2025-12-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)