Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
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Basics
Description
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, nonirritating gas
- Binds to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin:
- Decreases O2-carrying capacity
- Direct cellular toxin
- Impairs cellular O2 utilization
Etiology
- Endogenous:
- Result of normal metabolism
- Incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fossil fuel:
- Internal combustion engines
- Natural gas
- Heaters
- Indoor grills
- Fireplaces
- Furnaces
- Accidental fires
- Tobacco smoke
- Methylene chloride:
- Found in some solvents for paint removal and furniture stripping
- Converted in vivo to CO after exposure
- Peak carboxyhemoglobin levels delayed after exposure
- Half-life is ∼2 times that of inhaled CO
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, nonirritating gas
- Binds to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin:
- Decreases O2-carrying capacity
- Direct cellular toxin
- Impairs cellular O2 utilization
Etiology
- Endogenous:
- Result of normal metabolism
- Incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fossil fuel:
- Internal combustion engines
- Natural gas
- Heaters
- Indoor grills
- Fireplaces
- Furnaces
- Accidental fires
- Tobacco smoke
- Methylene chloride:
- Found in some solvents for paint removal and furniture stripping
- Converted in vivo to CO after exposure
- Peak carboxyhemoglobin levels delayed after exposure
- Half-life is ∼2 times that of inhaled CO
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