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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning


Some Possible Effects of CO on the Cardiovascular System:

  • Increased coronary blood flow

  • Increased heart rate, ie. tachycardia

  • Decreased stroke volume, wall motion, ejection fraction, etc.

  • Myocardial ischemia (angina) earlier in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)

  • ECG abnormalities

  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)

  • Increased platelet aggregation

  • Decreased erythocyte deformability

  • Myocardial infarction and necrosis

  • Erythrocytosis as an effect of chronic exposure - increased hematocrit and blood viscosity

  • Cardiomegaly (cardiac hypertrophy) as an effect of chronic exposure



    ...... last changed 07/02/02


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