title: Management of carbon monoxide poisoning using oxygen therapy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen