Review article

RECOGNITION AND TIMELY TREATMENT OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

INGRID BOŠAN-KILIBARDA ; Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
RAJKA TURK orcid.org/0000-0002-5876-8923 ; Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, Poison Control Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
MAJA GRBA-BUJEVIĆ ; Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
ŽELJKA BABIĆ orcid.org/0000-0002-5335-9522 ; Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, Poison Control Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
ZRINKA FRANIĆ ; Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, Poison Control Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and extremely toxic gas, which is ubiquitous in our industrial society. Diagnosing CO poisoning relies on taking thorough history exploring the relationship of symptoms and signs of poisoning to environmental CO exposure. Venous or arterial blood gas analysis measurement of carboxyhemoglobin is required for defi nitive diagnosis, and this is rarely available outside the hospital environment. New eight-wavelength pulse oximeters are designed to measure carboxyhemoglobin, in addition to the usual measurements of hemoglobin oxygen saturation. Essential treatment for CO poisoning is immediate delivery of high fl ow normobaric oxygen through a non-rebreather mask with reservoir bag. However, still no consensus exists on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and reliable indicators for identifying patients who will benefi t from such therapy with better outcomes and lower risk of delayed neurological sequels are also lacking.

Keywords

carbon monoxide; carboxyhemoglobin; poisoning; diagnosis; delayed neurological sequels

Hrčak ID:

236559

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/236559

Publication date:

16.3.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.057 *