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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Acute carbon monoxide poisoning with severe cardiopulmonary compromise: a case report
Chang-Teng Wu1, Jing-Long Huang, Shao-Hsuan Hsia
1Department of Pediatrics, Children Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tauyuan, Taiwan. wct0722@yahoo.com.tw.
Introduction:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced as a by-product of incomplete combustion, and a common source is the fuel used for heating water in homes. The clinical presentation of CO poisoning may be mild, moderate, or severe.
Case Presentation:
This paper describes carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a 15-year-old child who suffered from severe cardiopulmonary compromise without overt neuropsychiatric sequelae. This occurred after he was exposed to a home heater producing high levels of carbon monoxide for an estimated six to eight hours. CO-induced cardiopulmonary compromise is infrequent in children.
Conclusion:
In this case, prolonged exposure to CO resulted in a high carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration, but the child recovered without overt sequelae, despite severe cardiopulmonary compromise.
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