Prognosis

There are no clear data on prognosis following carbon monoxide poisoning. Evidence from a Danish study showed an overall 30-day mortality of 9.2% following carbon monoxide poisoning, including patients who died at the scene.[29]​ However, 30-day mortality fell to 1.5% for patients who arrived at hospital.[29] Factors that are associated with increased mortality are advanced age, acidotic states, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, drug or alcohol misuse, psychiatric disease, cognitive impairment, and structural abnormalities on imaging studies such as lucencies in the basal ganglia, cerebral white matter and globus pallidus.[3]​​[4]​​ [29]

One third of patients may have subtle memory deficits or show personality changes after carbon monoxide poisoning.

MRI should be considered as a test of choice for evaluation of chronic changes and prognosis after carbon monoxide poisoning.[36]

Even mild symptoms in a pregnant woman can have devastating effects on the unborn child, such as fetal demise or congenital malformations. Fetal haemoglobin has a much greater affinity for carbon monoxide than adult haemoglobin.

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