Carbon monoxide poisoning - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, nonirritating gas formed by hydrocarbon combustion. The atmospheric concentration of CO is generally below 0.001 percent, but it may be higher in urban areas or enclosed environments. CO binds to hemoglobin with much greater affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and resulting in impaired oxygen transport and utilization. CO can also precipitate an inflammatory cascade that results in central nervous system (CNS) lipid peroxidation and delayed neurologic sequelae. CO poisoning will be reviewed here. A summary table to facilitate emergency management is provided (table 1). Related topics include: ● (See "Inhalation injury from heat, smoke, or chemical irritants".) ● (See "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy".) ● (See "Cyanide poisoning".) ● (See "Overview of occupational and environmental health".) EPIDEMIOLOGY CO poisoning is estimated to occur in 50,000 people annually in the United States, and non-fire-rela

INTRODUCTION Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, nonirritating gas formed by hydrocarbon combustion. The atmospheric concentration of CO is generally below 0.001 percent, but it may be higher in urban areas or enclosed environments. CO binds to hemoglobin with much greater affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and resulting in impaired oxygen transport and utilization. CO can also precipitate an inflammatory cascade that results in central nervous system (CNS) lipid peroxidation and delayed neurologic sequelae. CO poisoning will be reviewed here. A summa