Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
[An unusual case of 3 fatal, accidental CO poisoning cases by re-routed ventilation]
Heike Klotzbach1, Reinhold Ottens, Erwin Koops
1Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Hamburg.
Abstract:
A case of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is presented where three members of a family, aged between 23 and 66 years, died while having dinner. After analysing the scene and evaluating the personal circumstances there was no doubt that death was due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The fact that three persons of different ages died almost simultaneously as well as the technical reconstruction appears noteworthy to the authors. Scrutiny of the technical circumstances revealed that the waste air containing carbon monoxide was re-routed because of the oppressively hot weather conditions. The fumes from the stove heating in the living room flowed into the chimney and from there via another pipe into the kitchen oven and finally reached the atmosphere of the kitchen where the three members of the family died.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
