PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Moamary, Mohamed S.
AU  - Al-Shammary, Afaf S.
AU  - Al-Shimemeri, Abdullah A.
AU  - Ali, Mir M.
AU  - Al-Jahdali, Hamdan H.
AU  - Awada, Adnan A.
TI  - Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning
DP  - 2000 Apr 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 361--363
VI  - 21
IP  - 4
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/4/361.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/4/361.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Apr 01; 21
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute carbon monoxide poisoning is a common problem that occurs during winter and leads to serious complications.METHODS: We retrospectively studied 24 consecutive cases admitted with the aim of finding the causes and outcome of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.RESULTS: The source of poisoning was charcoal in 71% of patients, motor gasoline in 21%, and other causes in 8%. Immediate complications included altered consciousness level in 54% of patients, metabolic acidosis in 46%, pneumonia in 42%, cardiac arrhythmia in 29% and rhabdomyolysis in 25%. Late neurological complications occurred in 17% of patients. All the patients received 100% oxygen. Eleven patients (46%) required mechanical ventilation. Ultimately, 19 patients (79%) recovered completely, 4 (17%) had neurological or cardiac disorders, and 1 (4%) died.CONCLUSION: Immediate and late complications are common in carbon monoxide poisoning cases admitted to the hospital especially when they arrive late. Time lapse between exposure and presentation may have a role in predicting the outcome.