Prognosis

Survivors of acute CO poisoning exhibit nearly double the long-term mortality compared with age-matched populations without CO poisoning.[71] Major causes of death for patients include alcoholism, motor vehicle accidents, accidents in general, and intentional self harm. These suggest underlying psychiatric illness or persistent neurocognitive sequelae.[3]

Factors that are associated with increased mortality are advanced age, acidotic states, preexisting cardiovascular disease, drug or alcohol misuse, psychiatric disease, cognitive impairment, and certain structural abnormalities on imaging studies, such as lucencies in the basal ganglia (globus pallidus) or centrum semiovale.[4][34][72][73][74]

Patients who suffer from a cardiac complication of CO poisoning have increased long-term mortality. There is evidence to suggest many of these deaths are cardiac-related.[75][76]

Hence, patients with cardiac complications of CO poisoning need to be followed closely for underlying cardiovascular disease and the development of new complications.

Even mild symptoms in a pregnant woman can have devastating effects on the unborn child, such as fetal demise or congenital malformations.[7] This should be considered when diagnosing, treating, and following up a pregnant patient with CO poisoning.

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