Abstract
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas which is nonirritating and is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of any fossil fuel. There are diverse clinical effects of CO poisoning and they may be easily confused with other illnesses, such as nonspecific viral illness, benign headache, and various cardiovascular and neurologic conditions. Although initial neurologic manifestations may be subtle, but more profound exposure may produce altered mental status, confusion, syncope, seizure, acute stroke-like syndromes, and coma. Isolated seizures have been reported more often in pediatric patients. The cardiovascular effects of CO poisoning are manifested initially by tachycardia in response to hypoxia but more significant exposures may result in hypotension, arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction and even cardiac arrest. We present here an interesting case of one such patient who presented with features of severe myocardial depression and uncommon MRI findings secondary to carbon monoxide poisoning
Highlights
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas which is nonirritating and is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of any fossil fuel
There are diverse clinical effects of CO poisoning and they may be confused with other illnesses, such as nonspecific viral illness, benign headache, and various cardiovascular and neurologic conditions [3]
The cardiovascular effects of CO poisoning are manifested initially by tachycardia in response to hypoxia [8] but more significant exposures may result in hypotension, arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction and even cardiac arrest
Summary
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas which is nonirritating and is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of any fossil fuel. The cardiovascular effects of CO poisoning are manifested initially by tachycardia in response to hypoxia [8] but more significant exposures may result in hypotension, arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction and even cardiac arrest. An MRI of the brain was ordered which revealed altered signal intensity lesions involving globus pallidus of bilateral basal ganglia and left mesial temporal lobe showing restricted diffusion (Figure 2). After another day of further supportive care, the patient became fully conscious with an EMV of 15/15. EKG was normal and a repeat echocardiography was done which revealed improved cardiac functions with an ejection fraction of 58% (Figure 3).
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