CO Poisoning:



The Acute CO Poisoning Study of Meigs & Hughes, 1952 (cont.):

Summary:

  • There were 60 patients in the 0-49 years of age group, 45 who were 50 years of age or more. Seventy-three were male and 32 female. Ninety were Caucasian, 10 Black, 1 Chinese, and 5 unknown.

  • Suicide attempts accounted for 37 cases - in 22 cases the patients were men.

  • Occupational CO poisoning occurred in 16 cases. The source of the CO was illuminating gas (unlit) in 64 cases, incomplete combustion from stoves & fires in 27, and engine exhaust in 12.

  • COHb values were obtained in 14 cases - the highest value reported was 52%.

  • Seven in-hospital deaths occurred - 3 women, ages 22-53 years. Four men died - ages 57-86 years.

  • A number of manifestations previously thought unusual were found to be common in thse series: skin lesions, transient respiratory findings, excessive sweating, liver enlargement, localized pain or soreness, and localized edema.

  • A number of signs were found to correlate with severity of poisoning: abnormalities of the nervous system, skin color, evidence of bleeding, pseudorecovery, temperature of 102o F or higher, respirations of 30 per minute or higher, leucocyte count of 18,000 per mm3 or higher, albuminuria, abnormal urinary sediment, skin lesions, transient respiratory findings, excessive sweating, and liver enlargement.

  • Nine manifestations were almost as common in patients with mild as with severe CO poisoning: suffused mucous membranes, irregular cardiac rhythm, localized edema, vomiting, headache, heart rate of 110 per minutes or above, abnormal B.P., erythrocyte count to 5.2 x 106 per mm3 or above, and glycosuria.

  • There was a highly significant positive correlation of increased body temperature to 102o F or more in the 1st 48 hrs., incontinence, and pseudorecovery with subsequent death.

  • Correlations to subsequent death were also found for abnormal neurological signs, irregular cardiac rhythm on admission, excessive sweating in the 1st 24 hrs., rales or rhonchi in the chest, elevation or abnormality in B.P., respiration rate of 30 per minute or more, elevation of erythrocyte count to 5.2 x 106 per mm3 in the 1st 48 hrs., and evidence of bleeding or skin lesions at any time.


    Source: Meigs, J.W. & Hughes, J.P.W. (1952) Acute carbon monoxide poisoning: An analysis of one hundred five cases. Arch. Industr. Hyg. & Occupat. Med., 6, 344-356.




    ....... Last changed 03/24/02


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