Hyperbaric oxygen in treatment of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Abstract

During a period of 5 months 44 patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning were treated with hyperbaric oxygen. In 80% of cases very good results were obtained. Analizing the causes of death the following factors were considered: the duration of exposure to carbon monoxide, the age of patients and the degree of unconsciousness at the time of hospital admission. The patients stayed in a hyperbaric chamber for 90 min. on the average. The mean pressure of 100% oxygen was 2.5 ATA. When lower pressures were applied the time necessary for elimination of the same amount of carbon monoxide from the organism was slightly prolonged, nevertheless, the use of lower pressures is recommended, since it reduced the risk of toxic effects on oxygen.