[Hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning]

The lethality of 187 patients with severe carbon monoxide intoxication was investigated in relation to body temperature. 22 per cent of the normothermic, but 36 per cent of hypothermic or hyperthermic patients did not survive the carbon monoxide poisoning. The lethality increases following enhancement of degree and duration of hypothermia. Pretreatment of rats with chlorpromazine producing a decrease of body temperature of 4 degree C induces a small reduction of toxicity after subcutaneous carbon monoxide injection. However, the CO-DL50 decreases from 17 to 11,5 mmol/kg following administration of the same dose of chlorpromazine after carbon monoxide injection. Changes in carboxyhemoglobin levels are consistent with alterations of CO toxicity. On the basis of these results, it appears that it is not advisable to maintain a spontaneous hypothermia during carbon monoxide intoxication.