Highlights & Basics
- Carbon monoxide (CO)poisoning results in significant morbidity and mortality.
- Poisoning can occur following exposure to a variety of fire or nonfire sources, including gas and charcoal grills, motor vehicle exhaust and other engine exhausts in poorly ventilated spaces, and various industrial sources. It can also occur due to endogenous production by the liver after inhalational exposure to methylene chloride, a component of some paint strippers.
- Early symptoms are nonspecific and include headache, dizziness, and nausea.
- If symptoms of CO poisoning are suspected, individuals should leave the building or space immediately and call the emergency medical services.
- Diagnosis is based on a clinical triad: history of CO exposure, elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels, and symptoms/signs consistent with CO poisoning.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning. Nov 2020 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Wolf SJ, Maloney GE, Shih RD, et al; American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Subcommittee (Writing Committee) on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Clinical policy: critical issues in the evaluation and management of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Ann Emerg Med. 2017 Jan;69(1):98-107.e6.[Abstract][Full Text]
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