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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
07:52
Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
[Carbon monoxide--poison or potential therapeutic?]
1Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, W640 Montefiore University Hospital, 3459 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. alexander.hoetzel@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Der Anaesthesist
|July 11, 2006
Summary
Carbon monoxide (CO), produced by heme oxygenase, offers protective effects like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Low-dose CO shows potential therapeutic benefits in critical care medicine, warranting further human studies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is endogenously produced by heme oxygenase.
- CO exhibits various physiological and pathophysiological functions.
- Emerging research highlights CO's antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-apoptotic, and vasodilating properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional, protective, and toxic aspects of carbon monoxide.
- To explore the potential clinical applications of CO in anesthesiology and critical care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on carbon monoxide.
- Analysis of experimental data regarding CO's effects in various conditions.
Main Results:
- Low-dose CO demonstrates cytoprotective properties in experimental models.
- CO has shown potential benefits in conditions like ARDS, sepsis, and organ transplantation.
- Functional, protective, and toxic aspects of CO have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Carbon monoxide possesses significant therapeutic potential beyond its toxicity.
- Further investigation into CO's clinical applications, particularly in low doses, is warranted.
- CO's multifaceted roles in physiological and pathophysiological states require comprehensive understanding.
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