1. Introduction
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important source of
poisoning worldwide. About 50,000 emergency department
visits each year in the USA are attributed
to CO poisoning.1 Most cases are caused by the incomplete
combustion of carbon-containing materials.
CO intoxication causes tissue hypoxia and direct
damage at the cellular level,2,3 and can result in a
variety of acute symptoms, including headache,
seizure, lethargy and coma. Although most victims
recover after prompt treatment, some may develop
long-term neuropsychiatric deficits.