carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 1

PResentaion and investigation and management of Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 1

Present as
headache, Nausea, vertigo, confusion
severe- pink skin and mucosea, arrythmias, coma, death
A lot worse if cardiac problems, women etc
1/3 of severe issues are FATAL

Ix–
Abnormally high O2 probe
VBG/ABG– carboxyheamoglobin high-
>3% in non smokers, >10% in smokers

symtoms start around <10%

ECG for cardiac ischemia
check tons of other things cause not specific

Manage in ED
100% high flow oxygen via rebreath (reduced half life of the carboxyheamoglobin)- aim sats of 100%, until sx resolve

Hyperbaric oxygen- can be better for more severe- so if levels >25% consider