Remember 'a posteriori diagnosis' of carbon monoxide poisoning.
OBJECTIVE
To raise awareness of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning as a diagnosis in the emergency department and to present the little known fact that it is possible to diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning retrospectively.


METHODS
Presentation of a case report, review of the literature.


RESULTS
Persistence of elevated carboxyhaemoglobin levels in a stored vacutainer blood sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Carbon monoxide poisoning is common but often goes unrecognized. This method may help to decrease the number of overlooked cases and thereby possibly prevent further exposure and acute or chronic sequelae.
Perren
Andreas
A
Intensive Care Unit, Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli, Bellinzona, Switzerland. andreas.perren@eoc.ch
Marone
Claudio
C
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin