title: Carbon monoxide and cyanide toxicity: etiology, pathophysiology and treatment in inhalation injury.
abstract: Inhalation injury is most commonly associated with damage to the mucosal surfaces of the small and large airways after exposure to smoke and other products of incomplete combustion. Yet, there are far deadlier things lurking within the smoke than just the heat and particulate matter: carbon monoxide and cyanide. These two toxic substances are found in varying concentrations within the fire room and are associated with early on-scene death and in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Patients suffering from carbon monoxide and/or cyanide poisoning present with vague symptoms requiring an astute physician to make the diagnosis. Fortunately, the toxic effects related to exposure to these agents can be reversed with readily available antidotes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX, USA. todd.f.huzar@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Todd F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Huzar
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cross
mesh_terms: D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003486:Cyanides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D003486:Cyanides; D002248:Carbon Monoxide