Management of carbon monoxide poisoning using oxygen therapy.
The management of carbon monoxide poisoning requires an accurate assessment of the extent of blood oxygenation. Measuring the fractional oxyhaemoglobin content by using co-oximetry gives a true picture of the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood in the presence of carboxyhaemoglobin. The use of readings from pulse oximetry or a standard blood gas analyser is insufficient and can be misleading. We report on a case of carbon monoxide poisoning to illustrate this potential pitfall.
Mak
T W
TW
Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
Kam
C W
CW
Lai
J P
JP
Tang
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis
D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen