death (COHb usually greater than 60%). A particularly
insidious feature of CO poisoning is the development of
neurological problems such as movement disorders (often
resembling Parkinson’s disease), memory loss and altered
personality. Such problems may develop weeks after
apparent recovery from acute poisoning.
Chronic exposure to relatively low levels of CO may result in
a variety of symptoms including headache, fatigue, poor
concentration, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, visual
disturbance, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Chronic CO poisoning as a cause of such symptoms is often
missed.
The MicroCO allows immediate assessment of patients at
risk of CO poisoning who can then be rapidly referred for
expert assessment. Prompt treatment with oxygen (in a
hyperbaric chamber, if severe) is often life saving.
Screening for CO exposure may also reveal the cause of
non-specific symptoms relating to low level CO exposure
(usually as the result of faulty gas appliances).
References
Meredith T, Vale A, Carbon monoxide poisoning
British Medical Journal, 1988; 296, 77-78
Cigarette Consumption
The MicroCO provides a simple screening test for cigarette
consumption for use in all smoking cessation programs.
Measurement of carboxyhemoglobin has been well validated
as an indirect measure of cigarette consumption and is
widely used in smoking cessation programs.
