Carbon Monoxide Intoxication

From Department of Emergency Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Address for reprints: Dr. Tzong-Luen Wang, Department of Emergency Medicine, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, No 95, Wen Chang Road, Taipei, Taiwan Received: Aug 18 2005. Revised: Aug 23 2005. Accepted: Aug 29 2005. TEL: 886-2-28389425 FAX: 886-2-28353547 E-mail: [email protected] Abstract There is sufficient evidence to suggest that significant numbers of our population are being poisoned by low concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO). In otherwise healthy people, occult indoor exposure may result in commonplace symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, and difficulty in concentrating. In people with pre-existing disease, pollution alone may result in increased morbidity and mortality. Variable symptoms and signs make the poisoning difficult to detect and lead to serious outcomes. Multiple laboratory and image study can help us to detect and diagnose CO poisoning. Although the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is still controversial after many well-designed studies, many authors recommend the HBO in specific group. The other treatments, such as glucagon or steroid warrant further investigation. ED physicians have to learn to early detect the poisoning and to lower the morbidities and mortalities by appropriate management. (Ann Disaster Med. 2005; 4 Suppl 1:S8-S17)