What clinical finding is associated with low blood pressure and high end-tidal CO2 during laparoscopic surgery?

During laparoscopic surgery, the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) for insufflation can lead to specific clinical findings if an embolism occurs. A CO2 embolus can result in low blood pressure and a high end-tidal CO2 level during the procedure.

When CO2 enters the venous system, it can cause an obstruction in blood flow, leading to a decrease in cardiac output and, subsequently, low blood pressure. As the embolism affects the vascular system, the body attempts to compensate for the low blood pressure, which can result in elevated levels of CO2 being detected in the exhaled air, hence the high end-tidal CO2 observation.

This mix of low blood pressure and elevated end-tidal CO2 is specifically tied to the presence of a CO2 embolus, making it a critical finding for surgical teams to consider when monitoring the patient during laparoscopy. Detecting these changes early can help in the timely management of a potential CO2 embolism.