Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning by mechanical ventilation: Case report

Abstract

Severe carbon monoxide poisoning is a not uncommon disease in North America. The authors were privileged to treat a fifteen-year-old female who had attempted suicide with carbon monoxide. When first seen, she exhibited decerebrate rigidity and evidence of aspiration pneumonitis. She was treated with prolonged trachéal intubation and moderate hyperventilation. She also received dexamethasone as an anti-oedema and anti-inflammatory agent. The patient "awoke" after sixty hours of ventilator therapy. She subsequently recovered from most of her neurologic injuries. She is said to be the first survivor (in this area) of carbon monoxide poisoning with decerebrate rigidity. © 1968 Canadian Anesthesiologists.