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Capnometry with prehospital intubation cuts mortality

The use of Capnometry in Prehospital Intubation and Association with 30-Day Mortality: A Nationwide Registry Study
Prehospital Emergency Care · Added 20 August 2026

Nationwide registry study examining capnometry use during prehospital intubation and its association with 30-day mortality.

Study type

Registry

Design

Nationwide retrospective registry cohort

Participants

8,625 patients (8,720 intubations) in Denmark 2016–2021

Main finding

Capnometry used in 80.3% of intubations, rising from 75.4% to 82.6%; 30-day mortality 62.6%; capnometry use independently associated with lower mortality (more frequent in survivors, 87% vs 76%)

Caveat

Observational registry design — association may reflect confounding by indication or case mix

Bottom line

Supports current practice

Learning goal

Strengthen my practice of waveform capnometry during prehospital intubation to reduce mortality risk in critically ill patients.

More

• Topic: Airway & ventilation
• Daily scan: 20 August 2026

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