The paper presents a review of capnometry in prehospital emergency care. Basic advantages and disadvantages of currently used „sidestream“ and „mainstream“ monitors are reviewed with respect to the specificities of an out-hospital setting. The most important diseases and situations affecting the measurement are outlined. The author presents his opinion on current indication for capnometry monitoring in prehospital emergency care. There is stressed the need for concurrent capnometry monitoring with other types of monitoring along with careful and continuous clinical observation of patients’ vital signs.

        Key words: capnometry – prehospital emergency care – indications – measurement modes – complex patient monitoring – carbon dioxide – EtCO 2