Carbon monoxide poisoning; CO gas is inhaled, binds hemoglobin in blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin

Описание: What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Definition: Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when CO gas is inhaled and binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Mechanism: CO has ~200–250 times greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and impairs cellular respiration.

Causes
Faulty or poorly ventilated combustion appliances (heaters, stoves, furnaces)

Car exhaust in enclosed spaces (garages)

Fire smoke inhalation

Industrial exposure

Symptoms
Mild exposure: Headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion

Moderate exposure: Chest pain, shortness of breath, impaired coordination, blurred vision

Severe exposure: Seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, death

Classic sign: “Cherry-red” skin color (rare, usually seen postmortem)

Diagnosis
Clinical suspicion: Especially in enclosed spaces with combustion sources

Blood test: Carboxyhemoglobin levels (normal less Than 2% in nonsmokers, less than 10% in smokers)

Pulse oximetry: Not reliable (cannot distinguish oxyhemoglobin from carboxyhemoglobin)

Treatment
Immediate removal from exposure source

100% oxygen therapy via non-rebreather mask → speeds dissociation of CO from hemoglobin

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in severe cases (neurological symptoms, cardiac involvement, pregnancy) → reduces COHb half-life dramatically

Supportive care: Monitoring cardiac and neurological function

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