Carbon monoxide intoxication: an event to be detected by the emergency service

• Main Authors: Arnulfo Orobio-Quiñones, Marie Claire Berrouet
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad del Cauca 2016-06-01
• Series: Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud
• Subjects: Intoxicación monóxido de carbono, monóxido de carbono, envenenamiento monóxido de carbono
• Online Access: http://facultadsalud.unicauca.edu.co/revista/ojs2/index.php/rfcs/article/view/135

The carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) is a common condition. It is presented in 17.5 per 100,000 habitants. It is the main cause of poisoning mortality in developed countries. The condition requires a high index of suspicion and exhaustive evaluation of the patient circumstances. The diagnosis is complicated by the unspecific symptoms and lack of reliable markers. CO-oximetry is a tool that helps the diagnosis, therapeutic decision-making and monitoring. Although the evidence is still controversial, the best opportunity for patients intoxicated with CO is the use of oxygen at high concentrations in a hyperbaric chamber. Considering the difficult access to hyperbaric chamber in our setting, we must consider alternative therapies that can help reduce acute complications and chronic consequences.