Capnography Equipment Market: Growth, Size, Share, and Trends

OPPORTUNITY: Rising availability of clinical research evidence on capnography

Clinical research evidence has been developed on capnography in the recent past to solidify its role as a monitoring tool for respiratory function and as a guide for clinical decision-making processes. Notable research in this regard has focused on using capnography in various clinical contexts, such as monitoring anesthesia, sedation, and critical care patients. It also enables clinicians to identify early complications in a patient's respiratory status. Capnography can also be used in pre-hospital emergency services and ancillary care for cardiopulmonary resuscitation assessment and guide pre-hospital resuscitative interventions.

The measurement of end-tidal CO2 is utilized merely as a marker to assess the quality of chest compressions and the efficacy of ventilation. The growing body of clinical research evidence underscores the critical role of capnography in modern healthcare. Numerous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in various clinical settings, including anesthesia, critical care, emergency medicine, and respiratory care.

• In July 2024, a study assessed the relationship between exhaled CO2 levels and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Despite the widespread measurement of carbon dioxide levels, this relationship remains unclear. The study recommended using continuous waveform capnography during resuscitation. (Source: JAMA Netw Open)
• Using capnography has been linked to a reduction in severe airway complications. Addressing the lack of capnography access in low- and middle-income countries could significantly improve patient safety. (Source: British Journal of Anesthesia)
• In May 2023, according to research published by the BMC Anesthesiology, capnography, during sedation for EGD and colonoscopy, helps detect apnea and abnormal breathing patterns in mildly obese patients before SpO2 levels drop; this early detection allows for timely interventions, reducing the incidence of hypoxia and severe hypoxia in patients.

CHALLENGES: Shortage of skilled capnography operators

A severe shortage of skilled workers in capnography affects the effective deployment, maintenance, and utilization of capnography equipment across health facilities. Capnography is crucial in several clinical environments, especially in anesthesia, critical care, and emergency medicine. With the increased use of this equipment for medical purposes, there is a greater demand for well-trained health professionals who can interpret the generated data and take proper care of the equipment to yield accurate results. However, currently, there is a scarcity of skilled professionals involved with such tools. Although capnography is essential for curing respiratory ailments, most healthcare professionals—especially those in non-specialized roles—may not receive proper, thorough training. Respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists, and critical care nurses are usually trained in capnography, whereas staff from emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and smaller health facilities will rarely be exposed to capnography. Hence, most healthcare professionals lack training, which makes them relatively unfamiliar with the capnography equipment. A shortfall in training programs, curriculum inconsistency in medical and nursing schools, and less hands-on experience with using capnography devices in clinical settings contribute to a shortage of skilled workers.