Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Common Questions and Dilemmas

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas and is one of the most common causes of unintentional poisoning deaths in the United States. It is also one of the most common p­oisoning presentations to Emergency Departments. Because CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, the incidence of accidental exposure peaks during the winter months due to increased use of in-door heating sources and reduced ventilation. ^1–3  Several management dilemmas commonly arise when dealing with patients with potential CO poisoning.

The primary objectives in treating CO poisoning are:

1. Removal of the patient from the source
2. General supportive care
3. Administration of oxygen

1. What are normal and abnormal CO levels?

Most commonly, CO poisoning is diagnosed by directly measuring carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) percentage in the blood. While the COHb level can lead to a diagnosis, the actual percentage does not correlate well with the clinical signs and symptoms.

Interpretation of COHb levels ^1,3 :

• Normal (non-smoker, outside of urban area): 0.4-1.0%
• Urban-dweller: Up to 5%
• Heavy smoker: Up to 15%
• Mild poisoning: >10% without clinical signs/symptoms
• Moderate poisoning: >10% with minor clinical signs/symptoms (headache, lethargy, fatigue)
• Severe poisoning: >20-25% with loss of consciousness, confusion, or signs of cardiac ischemia

2. What is the half life of CO?

Oxygen administration enhances the elimination of CO from the body by decreasing the elimination CO half-life. The CO half-life for the following oxygen levels are as follows ^1,4 :

• Room air: 4-5 hours
• 100% O2 by non-re-breather mask: ~1 hour
• Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO): ~20 minutes

3. When can I discharge a patient home in whom I suspect CO poisoning?

There is no definite rule or guideline regarding the final disposition of a CO-poisoned patient. Per UpToDate recommendations ⁵ :

Any patients with mild symptoms from an unintentional poisoning can be managed in an emergency department and safely discharged. Patients whose symptoms do not resolve, who demonstrate ECG or laboratory evidence of severe poisoning, or who have other medical or social cause for concern should be hospitalized.

More severe symptoms such as altered mental status, persistent neurologic or cardiovascular dysfunction would also warrant admission.  Also, depending on the mechanism of poisoning, patients may have other co-morbidities that would necessitate admission such as burns, trauma, or hemodynamic instability.

 4. What are the indications for hyperbaric oxygen? To dive or not to dive?

The use of HBO to treat CO poisoning remains controversial. Physiologically, it makes sense that if oxygen supplementation is good, more oxygen should be better. However, the few clinical trials that have been done show mixed results. Proponents for HBO therapy point to decreased rates of delayed neurologic sequelae in patients treated with HBO vs normobaric oxygen.  However, the data are conflicting and two studies showed no difference between HBO and normobaric oxygen.

2011 Cochrane Collaboration Review³:
“Existing randomized trials do not establish whether the administration of HBO to patients with carbon monoxide poisoning reduces the incidence of adverse neurologic outcomes. Additional research is needed to better define the role, if any, of HBO in the treatment of patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.”

2008 ACEP Clinical Policy (Level C recommendation) ⁴ :

1. HBO is a therapeutic option for CO-poisoned patients; however, its use cannot be mandated.
2. No clinical variables, including carboxyhemoglobin levels, identify a subgroup of CO-poisoned patients for whom HBO is most likely to provide benefit or cause harm.

However, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society does recommend HBO therapy for patients with any of the following⁶:

• Transient or prolonged loss of consciousness
• Abnormal neurologic signs
• Cardiovascular dysfunction
• Severe acidosis
• Age over 36 years
• CO exposure of ≥24 hours
• Carboxyhemoglobin level ≥25%

What about pregnant patients?
There is no clinical trial to date that assessed the efficacy and safety of HBO in pregnant patients.  That said, many experts recommend HBO therapy in the context of pregnancy due to potential benefits to both the mother and fetus, along with difficulty in assessing fetal hypoxia.  Many authors recommend HBO therapy in the pregnant patient if:

1. Maternal COHb level is ≥15-20%
2. Evidence of fetal distress
3. Any of the other “standard” criteria

Conclusion

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common situation encountered by emergency physicians with often challenging decisions regarding appropriate treatment and disposition due to conflicting data. Based on the available data and consensus recommendations, there isn’t an absolute answer regarding HBO therapy at this time. While standard treatment involves administering 100% oxygen, the jury is still out regarding the utility of HBO therapy. The decision to use HBO therapy should be made based on an individual patient basis and will largely depend on the institution and feasibility of getting your patient to a hyperbaric chamber.

Author information

Dan Repplinger, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine
Zuckerberg San Francisco General
University of California, San Francisco

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