title: Management of carbon monoxide poisoning in the absence of hyperbaric oxygenation chamber.
abstract: Manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning are mostly attributable to acute hypoxic insult. In the absence of immediately available hyperbaric oxygen chamber, 100% oxygen should be delivered to the patient until carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood are less than 5%. Presence of abnormal motor activity or prolonged abnormal consciousness are indications for proceeding with hypothermia and mechanical ventilation. Reversal of these manifestations was achieved in 3 reported cases though induction of hypothermia was delayed for as long as 24 hours. However, no beneficial effects were obtained in a fourth patient who did not receive hypothermia until 5 days after exposure. The duration of hypothermia varied between 60-70 hours in patients who showed near-complete recovery.
mesh_terms: D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial