H-FABP in cases of carbon monoxide intoxication admitted to the emergency room

Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication causes cardiovascular problems as a result of diffuse tissue hypoxia. Cardiac biochemical markers and electrocardiographic changes have been reported in CO intoxications. Human fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has been recently used as a reliable marker in identifying early cardiac damage. In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the advantages of the use of H-FABP, in evaluating the findings of myocardial ischemia in patients with CO intoxication in our region.

Twenty four successive patients admitted to the emergency department with acute CO intoxication were included in our study. Serum traditional markers and H-FABP were also taken in the earliest period for evaluation of cardiac damage.

The creatinine kinase MB (CKMB) levels were positive in 11 of the patients; however, H-FABP and troponin T levels were positive in only 3 of them. One of these subjects had elevated level of H-FABP in the short-term and increasing troponin T level increasing level of troponin T during the follow-up period.

The obtained data supports the use of H-FABP, a specific indicator in identifying the cardiotoxicity of CO intoxications at an early phase.