Citation

Lampropoulos CE, Sklavou E, Anastogiannis C, Papanikolaou V, Tsilivarakis D, Vasiliou V, Vakali S. Eur. J. Case Rep. Intern. Med. 2019; 6(12): e001340.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine, Panarcadian General Hospital, Tripoli, Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SMC Media)

DOI

10.12890/2019_001340

PMID

31893206

PMCID

PMC6936927

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may cause severe cellular hypoxia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 28-year-old male presented reduced levels of consciousness and dyspnoea after CO exposure. Clinical examination revealed tachypnoea, bilateral rales, dilated jugular veins and confusion. Troponin I, lactate and carboxyhaemoglobin levels were increased. Thoracic X-ray depicted pulmonary oedema and an echocardiogram, severe heart failure (HF; EF<25%). He was intubated due to clinical deterioration.

RESULTS: He remained intubated for 5 days with excellent improvement of left ventricular function (EF>55%). He was discharged 1 week later with full recovery.

DISCUSSION: Acute HF is a rare serious complication of CO poisoning, even in healthy young individuals. LEARNING POINTS: Acute CO poisoning is an emergent condition necessitating prompt diagnosis and treatment.Neurologic and cardiovascular manifestations are the most worrying complications, which may leave permanent sequelae.Acute heart failure is a rare complication of CO poisoning, characterized by regional or global left ventricular wall hypokinesia.

© EFIM 2019.

Language: en

Keywords

Carbon monoxide poisoning; acute heart failure; echocardiography; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; intensive care unit