Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning

Saudi Med J. 2000 Apr;21(4):361-3.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / etiology
  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / blood
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / complications*
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / mortality
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / therapy
  • Coma / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Pneumonia / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rhabdomyolysis / etiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Seasons
  • Sex Distribution
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome