Carbon monoxide poisoning or "Silent killer": Diagnosis and current management

Andrés Felipe Salas Ramírez Andrés Felipe Salas Ramírez,Andrea Carolina Wilcox Robles Andrea Carolina Wilcox Robles,Guillermo Contento Suescun Guillermo Contento Suescun,Jorge Julian Mendoza Anguila Jorge Julian Mendoza Anguila,Daniela Carolina Salcedo Restrepo Daniela Carolina Salcedo Restrepo,Martha Lucia Beltran Avilez Martha Lucia Beltran Avilez,Armando Hongming Yee Acendra Armando Hongming Yee Acendra,John Edinson Pérez Ortega John Edinson Pérez Ortega

doi:10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0693

Andrés Felipe Salas Ramírez Andrés Felipe Salas Ramírez, Andrea Carolina Wilcox Robles Andrea Carolina Wilcox Robles + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0693

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Abstract

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a dangerous cause of hospital admission and mortality around the world due to its ability to enter the body and bind to heme groups. Thus, it is important to carry out a correct management plan for this type of patient, in order to avoid and prevent the development of severe systemic complications and even death, for which a review of diagnostic techniques is carried out and treatment of this scenario and its effectiveness in terms of the evolution of the patient.

Highlights

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that is absorbed through the lungs
The diagnosis of CO poisoning is based on clinical symptoms and suspected or confirmed exposure
Due to the diverse and varied sources of exposure to carbon monoxide, and its easy entry into the body, this constitutes one of the main emergencies that occur at the hospital level, and the second most common cause of mortality in several countries, among which The United States stands out, because its ease lies in the fact that it is eliminated from vehicles, cigarette smoke, and appliances that run on gas, gasoline, or burning wood

Summary

Introduction

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that is absorbed through the lungs. It arises from the incomplete burning of hydrocarbons [1]. Its absorption rate depends on the duration of exposure, the concentration of CO found in the environment and minute ventilation [2]. When reviewing data on injuries and deaths after poisoning around the world, CO poisoning is the most common cause [3]. The causes of such accidental poisoning are open fires (42%), exposure related to work in the industry (26%) and defective furnaces (19%). The high morbidity and mortality are face to face with the risk of neglect due to nonspecific symptoms and difficulties at the time of their detection [5]

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Conclusion