Effects of hyperbaric treatment on carbon monoxide elimination in humans

A theoretical model of carbon monoxide elimination from the acutely poisoned individual is presented. The model is derived from a one-compartment system with the rate-limiting step that of alveolar ventilation, assuming equilibration of carbon monoxide and oxygen between alveolar gas and pulmonary capillary blood and incorporates the effect of the carboxyhemoglobin-oxyhemoglobin equilibrium in the pulmonary capillary. The model is applied to groups of patients treated for carbon monoxide intoxication both by conventional means and by hyperbaric medicine and to some animal studies found in the literature with satisfactory fit of data to the model. Finally, a number of factors responsible for the variability of CO elimination are discussed in terms of the model.