Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning

Authors

• Mohamed S. Al-Moamary, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (1) 2520088 ext 4179. Fax. +966 (1) 2635128. E-mail: almoamary{at}excite.com
• Afaf S. Al-Shammary, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Abdullah A. Al-Shimemeri, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Mir M. Ali, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Hamdan H. Al-Jahdali, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Adnan A. Awada, Department of Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

361

Last Page

363

Recommended Citation

Al-Moamary, Mohamed S.; Al-Shammary, Afaf S.; Al-Shimemeri, Abdullah A.; Ali, Mir M.; Al-Jahdali, Hamdan H.; and Awada, Adnan A. (2000) "Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 21: Iss. 4, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.1148