Carbon Monoxide Poisoning N Engl J Med 2009;360:1217-25.

1. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:1217-25

2. The Clinical Problem Carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in more than50,000 ED visits per year in the US. Carbon monoxide's affinity for hemoglobin is more than 200 times that of oxygen. Patients commonly have neuropsychological sequelae after CO poisoning. In one randomized trial, 46% of poisonedpatients treated with normobaric oxygen had cognitive sequelae6 weeks after poisoning, and 45% had affective sequelae.

4. Short-Term Management Non-rebreatherreservoir face mask supplied with high-flow O2, or 100% O2. It should be provided until the CO-Hb <5%.

5. Evaluation Neurologic examination Exposure history (duration, source, and whether others wereexposed) ABG, CO-Hb (CO-Hb>3% in nonsmokers or >10% in smokersconfirms exposure to CO) ECG and cardiac enzymes Intentional poisoning: alcohol, BZD, narcotics, amphetamines...

6. Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

7. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HBO therapy is defined as the breathing of 100% O2 within hyperbaric chambers compressed to greater than 1.4 atm. The role of HBO in the management of CO poisoning remains controversial, although both physiologicaldata and some randomized-trial data suggest a potential benefit. Health care providers in the ED should consider HBO for treating poisoned patients.

8. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy The incidence of cognitive sequelaewas lower among patients who underwent 3 HBO sessions (an initial session of 150 minutes, followed by 2sessions of 120 minutes each, separated by an interval of 6to 12 hours) within 24 hours after acute CO poisoningthan among patients treated with normobaric oxygen (25% vs.46%, P=0.007 and P=0.03). HBO reduced the rate of cognitive sequelae at 12 months (18%,vs. 33% with normobaric oxygen; P=0.04).

9. Variability among Patients In one study, patients who were 36 years of age or older orwho had been exposed to CO for at least 24 hours,who did not receive HBO, or who had cerebellarabnormalities on presentation had an increased risk of cognitivesequelae at 6 weeks as compared with those without these characteristics.

10. Variability among Patients Exposedchildren often become symptomatic earlier, and recover faster because of their lesser bloodvolume and increased minute ventilation per unit of body mass. The unborn fetus is highly susceptible to the adverse effectsof CO. The period required to eliminate CO is prolonged for fetal blood, and maternal poisoning and hypoxemia contribute to fetalhypoxia. HBO therapy should be considered in pregnant women,and in particular if the fetus shows signs of distress.

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13. Guidelines The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society recommends HBOtherapy for patients with serious CO poisoning (transient or prolonged unconsciousness,abnormal neurologic signs, cardiovascular dysfunction, or severeacidosis) or patients who are >36 years of age,were exposed >24 hours (including intermittent exposures),or have a CO-Hb level >25%.

14. Guidelines A Clinical Policies Subcommittee of the American College ofEmergency Physicians states that hyperbaric oxygen "is a therapeuticoption for CO poisoned patients; however, its use cannot be mandated....

15. Conclusions and Recommendations Patients who have had CO poisoning should be treated immediately withnormobaric oxygen (with a fraction of inspired oxygen as highas possible). Clinicians evaluating patients with acute poisoning should considerHBO therapy. Patientsshould be informed that they may not fully recover after poisoning, and they should be given referrals as appropriate for theirsequelae.

16. Conclusions and Recommendations Patientsshould be informed that they may not fully recover after poisoning. In one randomized trial, 46% of poisonedpatients treated with normobaric oxygen had cognitive sequelae6 weeks after poisoning, and 45% had affective sequelae.