Monitoring end-tidal carbon dioxide levels in COPD exacerbations

Monitoring of the End-tidal Carbon Dioxide (EtCO2 ) as a Severity Criterion in COPD Exacerbations: a Prospective Observational Study

Observational University Hospital, Grenoble · NCT05704881

This study is testing if measuring carbon dioxide levels in the breath can help doctors figure out how severe a COPD flare-up is for patients coming to the emergency room.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Grenoble Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Grenoble, Isère and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05704881 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the use of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) measurements as a predictive tool for the severity of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conducted in the emergency departments of Grenoble and Lyon University Hospitals, patients presenting with acute dyspnea and a history of COPD will have their EtCO2 levels measured upon arrival. The study will assess whether these measurements can help identify patients at higher risk for severe exacerbations, thereby improving early detection and treatment strategies. Data will be collected from medical records 24 hours post-admission to analyze the correlation between EtCO2 levels and patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea and a documented history of COPD.

Not a fit: Patients with hypotension, those already ventilated, or non-communicative individuals may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance early detection and treatment of severe COPD exacerbations, potentially improving patient survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of EtCO2 monitoring in COPD exacerbations is a recognized practice, this specific approach to predicting severity is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All patient presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea and with a history of COPD documented or reported by the patient and/or family
* Male or female≥18 years old who did not oppose to participating in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hypotension (SBP \< 90 mmHg or MBP \< 65 mmHg)
* Patient already included in the study during a previous visit to the emergency department
* Patient already ventilated with invasive or NIV during admission to the emergency department
* COPD exacerbation rejected after medical and additional examinations
* Non-communicative or non-French speaking patients, or with impaired comprehension, or with impaired consciousness
* Protected persons referred to in articles L1121-6 and L1121-8 of French public health code (deprived of liberty, tutorship or curatorship)

Where this trial is running

Grenoble, Isère and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveExacerbation CopdChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCapnographyCOPD exacerbation
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.