We experienced two hundred sixty six patients of acute carbon monoxide poisining admitted to Jang Sung hospital through emergency center from January 1987 to December 1994, and they were clinically analyzed and evaluated including delayed
postanoxic
encephalopathy. Mean age of the patients was 38.7±18.3 years and the ratio of male to female was 1:1.5. Mental state was alert mostly(50.7%), and their chief complaints were headache, nausea, and dizziness. The more disturbed mental state, the
more
decreased arterial pH and PaCO2, which may be the result of metabolic acidosis. The early laboratory findings in patients were ; Ieukocytosis 57.5%, increased hematocrit 23.3%, hyperglycemia 18%, increased GPT 14.7%, increased BUN 5.3%,
glucosuria
19.2%, and proteinuria 12.0%. The abnormal electrocardiography findings(24.8% of 266 cases) were sinus tachycardia, T wave inversion, sinus bradycardia, ST-T change tall T wave(>10mm), low voltage and incomplete RBBB with incidence and thirteen
cases
have two or more abnormal findings. The incidence of delayed postanoxic encephalopathy was 6.0% and two cases died in the period of admission because of multiorgan failure and respiratory failure in each cases.
We concluded that initial treatment of the carbon monoxide poisoned patient who cardiopulmonary function was preserved are hyperbaric oxygen therapy and conservative management of cerebral edema. Therefore, we suspect good clinical result and
prognosis
even in coma patients.
|