Waterpipe vs non-Waterpipe carbon monoxide poisoning: Comparison of patient characteristics, clinical presentation and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the difference between carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) acute poisoning caused by waterpipe vs non-waterpipe exposures as they relate to demographics, clinical presentations and outcome of patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Lebanon. PATIENTS: All adult patients presenting with a CO-Hb level ≥ 10 between January 2019 and August 2023 with exposure types stratified as waterpipe or non-waterpipe. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 111 ED visits were identified. Among these, 73.9% were attributed to waterpipe exposure, while 26.1% were non-waterpipe sources. These included cigarette smoking (17.2%), burning coal (24.1%), fire incidents (3.6%), gas leaks (6.9%), heating device use (10.3%), and undocumented sources (37.9%). Patients with waterpipe-related carbon monoxide exposure were younger (41 vs 50 years, p = 0.015) women (63.4 vs 41.4%, p = 0.039) with less comorbidities compared to non-waterpipe exposures (22.2 vs 41.4%, p = 0.047). Waterpipe smokers were more likely to present during the summer (42.7 vs 13.8%, p = 0.002) and have shorter ED length of stays (3.9 vs 4.5 h, p = 0.03). A higher percentage of waterpipe smokers presented with syncope (52.4 vs 17.2%, p = 0.001) whereas cough/dyspnea were more common in non-waterpipe exposures (31 vs 9.8%, p = 0.006). The initial CO-Hb level was found to be significantly higher in waterpipe exposure as compared to non-waterpipe (19.7 vs 13.7, p = 0.004). Non-waterpipe exposures were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (24.1 vs 4.9%, p = 0.015). Waterpipe smokers had significantly higher odds of experiencing syncope, with a 5.74-fold increase in risk compared to those exposed to non-waterpipe sources (p = 0.004) irrespective of their CO-Hb level. Furthermore, males had significantly lower odds of syncope as compared to females, following carbon monoxide exposure (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.74). CONCLUSION: CO-Hb poisoning related to waterpipe smoking has distinctive features. Syncope is a commonly associated presentation that should solicit a focused social history in communities where waterpipe smoking is common. Furthermore, CO-Hb poisoning should remain on the differential in patients presenting with headache, syncope, dizziness, vomiting or shortness of breath, even outside of the non-waterpipe exposure peaks of winter season.

Symptoms and functional limitations related to respiratory health and carbon monoxide poisoning in Tanzania: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory functional limitations is underestimated in Africa. Few data are available on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in sub-Saharan Africa and existing data is derived from CO in ambient air, but not from biomarkers in the blood. METHODS: Data from the Tanzanian Lung Health study, a cross-sectional study on lung health among outpatients and visitors to an urban as well as a rural hospital in Tanzania, was analyzed to describe respiratory symptoms and functional limitations. Saturation of peripheral blood with carbon monoxide (SpCO) was measured transcutaneously and non-invasively in participants using a modified pulse oxymeter indicative of CO poisoning. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety-seven participants were included in the analysis, the median age of participants was 46 years (49% male). 38% of participants reported some degree of chronic shortness of breath and 26% felt limited in their daily activities or at work by this symptom. The median SpCO was 7% (IQR 4-13, range 2-31%) among all participants without active smoking status (N = 808). Participants cooking with gas or electricity had the lowest SpCO (median 5%), followed by participants cooking with charcoal (median 7%). Cooking with wood, particularly using a stove, resulted in highest SpCO (median 11.5%). Participants from households where cooking takes place in a separate room had the lowest SpCO as compared to cooking outside or cooking in a shared room inside (6% vs. 9% vs.10.5%, p < 0.01). Sex or the activity of cooking itself was not associated with a difference in SpCO. Multivariate analysis confirmed cooking in a separate room (as compared to cooking outside) and living in a rural vs. urban setting as protective factors against high SpCO. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate a high burden of chronic respiratory symptoms which also cause socioeconomic impact. High levels of SpCO indicate a relevant burden of carbon monoxide poisoning in the local population. The level of CO in the blood is more dependent on shared exposure to sources of CO with the type of housing and type of cooking fuel as most relevant factors, and less on person-individual risk factors or activities.

Secondary polycythaemia with elevated carbon monoxide levels due to hookah pipe smoking: A public health concern.

Hookah pipe (HP) smoking is perceived as a harmless activity, enjoyed by young adults and high school-going children. Awareness of the health impact of recreational habits, and their intersection with new social norms in the COVID-era, requires critical review. We describe a case series of young HP smokers presenting with secondary polycythaemia with significant clinical sequelae necessitating extensive work-up. HP smoking may lead to acute and chronic carbon monoxide intoxication, with resultant secondary polycythaemia and complications including provoked thrombosis.

Think about acute shisha carbon monoxide intoxication: that's one small step for the patient, one giant leap for our society.

The number of people in the world consuming chicha is constantly increasing. However, several studies have shown that regular shisha smokers, whether active or passive, are exposed to the same risks as tobacco smokers. Shisha is also responsible for acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which is often unknown to emergency doctors, leading to under-diagnosis of this pathology and inappropriate treatment. We report in this series 3 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning following active or passive consumption of chicha. The prehospital percentage carboxyhemoglobin level measured by the pulse CO-oximeter is 22 and 27% for active smokers and 10% for the passively intoxicated patient. The individual and societal consequences of CO intoxication are significant. We believe it is important to make all those involved in emergency medicine aware of this pathology in order to treat it correctly from the initial phase and thus reduce its morbi-mortality and the risks of long-term complications.

[Carbon monoxide poisoning in active or passive shisha smokers]. / Intoxication au monoxyde de carbone chez les fumeurs actifs ou passifs de chicha.

In France, shisha (narghile) smoking is increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults and is generally thought to be less harmful and addictive than cigarettes. This systematic review of data on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in active or passive shisha tobacco smokers selected 17 studies. Sixteen case reports, including 39 patients (mean age: 22.3 years; males: 51.3%), described acute carbon monoxide poisoning in active shisha smokers. The most common symptoms were dizziness, headache, and nausea. Loss of consciousness occurred in 43.6% of patients. Two patients had an epileptic seizure. The mean carboxy-haemoglobin (HbCO) blood level was 17.3%. Electrocardiographic changes were present in five patients. Most patients were treated with normobaric oxygen therapy while only four received hyperbaric oxygen therapy; two of whom were non tobacco smokers exposed to shisha smoke during their work. The outcome was favourable in all patients. Shisha use must be suspected in cases of CO poisoning, especially in adolescents and young adults. Practitioners must help shisha users to stop their consumption.

Comparison between carbon monoxide poisoning from hookah smoking versus other sources.

Introduction: Carbon monoxide exposure is a relatively unknown risk of smoking hookah. Dozens of cases of hookah-associated carbon monoxide toxicity have been described over the past decades, but smoking hookah is generally perceived as safe. Only recently have larger series of hookah-associated carbon monoxide toxicity been published. This study evaluates the incidence of hookah-associated carbon monoxide toxicity over 4 years, and compares the exposures from hookah against other carbon monoxide sources.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients with carbon monoxide toxicity referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy at an urban hyperbaric oxygen referral center from January 2015 through December 2018. Cases of hookah-associated carbon monoxide toxicity were compared to patients exposed to other carbon monoxide sources, with an analysis of patient comorbidities, symptomatology, and laboratory evaluation.Results: Over a 48-month period, 376 patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide exposure. After exclusions, 265 patients with carbon monoxide toxicity from various sources were analyzed. There were 58 patients with hookah-associated carbon monoxide toxicity (22%). The proportion of hookah-associated carbon monoxide cases increased markedly in the latter years: 2015: 9.5%, 2016: 8.6%, 2017: 24.1%, 2018 41.6%. In the final 2 years analyzed, hookah smoking was the most frequent source of carbon monoxide toxicity referred for therapy. Hookah-associated carbon monoxide patients were younger(28.1 vs. 45.0 years, mean difference 16.8 years, 95% confidence interval: 11.5, 22.1 years, p < 0.001) and more likely to be female (60% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.06) than patients exposed to other carbon monoxide sources. The mean difference in carboxyhemoglobin concentration between hookah associated and those exposed to other carbon monoxide sources was 4.6% (mean 20.1% vs. 24.6%, 95%CI: 1.7, 7.5, p = 0.002).Conclusion: A substantial portion of patients with severe carbon monoxide toxicity was exposed through smoking hookah. The incidence of hookah-related carbon monoxide toxicity appears to be increasing.

Bocio multinodular tóxico por intoxicación con monóxido de carbono / Toxic multinodular goiter due to poisoning by carbon monoxide

RESUMEN Paciente masculino de 53 años con antecedentes de alergia, trabajador artesanal que realiza serigrafías, con alta exposición a productos químicos que, al someterse a altas temperaturas desprenden gran cantidad de vapor. Acude a consulta refiriendo que desde aproximadamente 2 meses antes presenta decaimiento con calambres musculares, palpitaciones, enrojecimiento de la cara y, aumento de tamaño de la glándula tiroides. Se diagnostica un bocio multinodular tóxico, por cifras hormonales elevadas. Se realiza ultrasonido de tiroides que informa bocio multinodular, una biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina, con atipia de significado incierto, y lesión folicular del tiroides. Se separa de su centro de trabajo y se logra revertir la sintomatología a los 15 días del tratamiento. Frecuentemente aparecen enfermedades asociadas a intoxicaciones por químicos y medicamentos, donde la presencia de hipertiroidismo no es habitual. Se requiere una anamnesis exhaustiva y exámenes complementarios específicos para un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados(AU)

ABSTRACT 53 years old male patient with a history of allergy; he works as a craft worker (producing serigraphs) very exposed to chemicals, which when subjected to high temperatures emit large amount of steam. The patient attends to the consultation referring that from approximately 2 months before he has been presenting weakness with muscle cramps, palpitations, flushing of the face and, increase in the size of the thyroid glands. It is diagnosed by the high hormonal figures a toxic multinodular goiter. Thyroid ultrasound is performed that shows multinodular goiter; it is also conducted a biopsy by fine-needle aspiration resulting in atypia of uncertain significance, and follicular lesion of the thyroid. The patient was separated from his workplace and there were reversed the symptoms after 15 days of treatment. Frequently appear diseases associated to poisonings caused by chemicals and medicines, where the presence of hyperthyroidism is not usual. It requires a comprehensive anamnesis and complementary tests that are specific for a proper diagnosis and treatment(AU)

Waterpipe smoking: not as innocent as it may seem.

INTRODUCTION: Waterpipe (hookah) smoking is popular; in Dutch surveys, 26% of the respondents have smoked a waterpipe at least once. However, waterpipe smoking is not without risk. We present a series of carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings after waterpipe smoking and discuss the etiology and treatment of CO intoxication after waterpipe smoking. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: We present three patients who presented with syncopial episodes and a variety of other neurological and circulatory symptoms after smoking a waterpipe. All patients had significantly elevated carboxyhaemoglobin levels (26%, 19% and 26%). Patients were treated with oxygen, following Dutch guidelines; one patient was admitted for eight hours of oxygen therapy. The other two patients were observed shortly, diverging from the guidelines because symptoms passed and the carboxyhaemoglobin normalised. DISCUSSION: Reviewing combustion chemistry, the formation of CO is a logical consequence of using burning coals as a heat source. This is due to CO2 reduction with carbon. This chemical process has not previously been related to waterpipe smoking. Dutch guidelines advise eight hours of oxygen therapy. The research this guideline is based on, justifies therapy directed at symptom relief and carboxyhaemoglobin normalisation. This strategy may prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and exposure to high-dose oxygen. CONCLUSION: We described three cases of CO intoxication after waterpipe smoking and argue why this may not be an incidental finding. Greater awareness of this risk is urgently needed. We conclude that the literature does not firmly support a fixed treatment duration.

Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Secondary to Cigarette Smoking in a 40-Year-Old Man: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carbon monoxide is one of the most common causes of fatal intoxications in the United States, and multiple previous studies have demonstrated that cigarette smokers have higher levels of carbon monoxide in their blood. However, the potential negative effects due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning from excessive cigarette smoking have not been well established. METHODS: This is a single patient case report. RESULTS: In this case report, a 40-year-old male with a past medical history of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and substance use disorder developed symptomatic, acute carbon monoxide poisoning secondary to heavy cigarette smoking in a confined space. In this patient, the cessation of clonazepam therapy coincided with increasing anxiety and panic disorder with agoraphobia triggering an escalation in his cigarette smoking. The patient smoked three packs of cigarettes in 3 hours and developed worsening of his symptoms. He required inpatient treatment with benzodiazepines and hyperbaric oxygen. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it is important to recognize cigarette smoke as a significant source of carbon monoxide exposure. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: While the negative effects of cigarette smoking are often perceived as being chronic and only coming to fruition after numerous years of exposure, it is important for both physicians and patients to recognize the possibility for potentially life-threatening acute toxicity secondary to carbon monoxide exposure. (Am J Addict 2019;28:413-415).

Carbon monoxide poisoning from waterpipe (narghile) smoking in a child.

Shisha smoking has spread to many countries since the 1990s and is now a global phenomenon among adolescents. Notwithstanding the connotations of conviviality of shisha smoking, it is in fact highly dangerous since the smoke inhaled contains toxic substances. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning carries a high risk of neurological and neuropsychological sequelae such as memory loss, impaired concentration, mood disorders, and various other symptoms. We report a case of severe CO poisoning in a 13-year-old boy after smoking shisha that caused loss of consciousness and seizure. To our knowledge, there have as yet been no reports of cases involving children. We present some epidemiological data on shisha smoking in adolescents as well as on CO intoxication.

Emergency department management of smoke inhalation injury in adults.

Smoke inhalation injury portends increased morbidity and mortality in fire-exposed patients. Upper airway thermal burns, inflammation from lower airway irritants, and systemic effects of carbon monoxide and cyanide can contribute to injury. A standardized diagnostic protocol for inhalation injury is lacking, and management remains mostly supportive. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for concomitant traumatic injuries. Diagnosis is mostly clinical, aided by bronchoscopy and other supplementary tests. Treatment includes airway and respiratory support, lung protective ventilation, 100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning, and hydroxocobalamin for cyanide toxicity. Due to its progressive nature, many patients with smoke inhalation injury warrant close monitoring for development of airway compromise.

Inhalation Injury in the Burned Patient.

Inhalation injury causes a heterogeneous cascade of insults that increase morbidity and mortality among the burn population. Despite major advancements in burn care for the past several decades, there remains a significant burden of disease attributable to inhalation injury. For this reason, effort has been devoted to finding new therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for patients who sustain inhalation injuries.The three major injury classes are the following: supraglottic, subglottic, and systemic. Treatment options for these three subtypes differ based on the pathophysiologic changes that each one elicits.Currently, no consensus exists for diagnosis or grading of the injury, and there are large variations in treatment worldwide, ranging from observation and conservative management to advanced therapies with nebulization of different pharmacologic agents.The main pathophysiologic change after a subglottic inhalation injury is an increase in the bronchial blood flow. An induced mucosal hyperemia leads to edema, increases mucus secretion and plasma transudation into the airways, disables the mucociliary escalator, and inactivates hypoxic vasocontriction. Collectively, these insults potentiate airway obstruction with casts formed from epithelial debris, fibrin clots, and inspissated mucus, resulting in impaired ventilation. Prompt bronchoscopic diagnosis and multimodal treatment improve outcomes. Despite the lack of globally accepted standard treatments, data exist to support the use of bronchoscopy and suctioning to remove debris, nebulized heparin for fibrin casts, nebulized N-acetylcysteine for mucus casts, and bronchodilators.Systemic effects of inhalation injury occur both indirectly from hypoxia or hypercapnia resulting from loss of pulmonary function and systemic effects of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as directly from metabolic poisons such as carbon monoxide and cyanide. Both present with nonspecific clinical symptoms including cardiovascular collapse. Carbon monoxide intoxication should be treated with oxygen and cyanide with hydroxocobalamin.Inhalation injury remains a great challenge for clinicians and an area of opportunity for scientists. Management of this concomitant injury lags behind other aspects of burn care. More clinical research is required to improve the outcome of inhalation injury.The goal of this review is to comprehensively summarize the diagnoses, treatment options, and current research.

Carbon monoxide poisoning from waterpipe smoking: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Waterpipe smoking may increasingly account for unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health hazard with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed at identifying waterpipe smoking as a cause for carbon monoxide poisoning in a large critical care database of a specialty care referral center. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with a history of exposure to waterpipe smoking and carbon monoxide blood gas levels >10% or presence of clinical symptoms compatible with CO poisoning admitted between January 2013 and December 2016. Patients' initial symptoms and carbon monoxide blood levels were retrieved from records and neurologic status was assessed before and after hyperbaric oxygen treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-one subjects with carbon monoxide poisoning were included [41 males, 20 females; mean age 23 (SD ± 6) years; range 13-45] with an initial mean carboxyhemoglobin of 26.93% (SD ± 9.72). Most common symptoms included syncope, dizziness, headache, and nausea; 75% had temporary syncope. Symptoms were not closely associated with blood COHb levels. CONCLUSION: CO poisoning after waterpipe smoking may present in young adults with a wide variability of symptoms from none to unconsciousness. Therefore diagnosis should be suspected even in the absence of symptoms.

Calls to Poison Centers for hookah smoking exposures.

Over the past decade, smoking behaviors have changed in the US. Hookah or waterpipe smoking is increasing, especially among youth and young adults. Social media sites describe the "hookah high" or "buzz", which may be related to nicotine, carbon monoxide, or other inhalants in hookah smoke. Most important is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Case reports include a high number of victims presenting with loss of consciousness from either syncope or seizures. Anaphylaxis and a very rare respiratory hypersensitivity reaction, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, have also been reported from hookah smoking in previously healthy young adults. This article provides background information on hookah smoking, describes hookah-induced acute injuries that could precipitate poison center calls, and offers suggestions for exposure characterization.

Carboxyhemoglobin Levels Induced by Cigarette Smoking Outdoors in Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive screening of carboxyhemoglobin saturation (SpCO) in the emergency department to detect occult exposure is increasingly common. The SpCO threshold to consider exposure in smokers is up to 9%. The literature supporting this cutoff is inadequate, and the impact of active smoking on SpCO saturation remains unclear. The primary objective was to characterize baseline SpCO in a cohort of smokers outdoors. Secondary objectives were to explore the impact of active smoking on SpCO and to compare SpCO between smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort pilot study in two outdoor urban public areas in the USA, in a convenience sample of adult smokers. SpCO saturations were assessed non-invasively before, during, and 2 min after cigarette smoking with pulse CO-oximetry. Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, and a generalized estimating equation model. RESULTS: Eighty-five smokers had mean baseline SpCO of 2.7% (SD 2.6) and peak of 3.1% (SD 2.9), while 15 controls had SpCO 1.3% (SD 1.3). This was a significant difference. Time since last cigarette was associated with baseline SpCO, and active smoking increased mean SpCO. There was correlation among individual smokers' SpCO levels before, during, and 2 min after smoking, indicating smokers tended to maintain their baseline SpCO level. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to measure SpCO during active smoking in an uncontrolled environment. It suggests 80% of smokers have SpCO ≤ 5%, but potentially lends support for the current 9% as a threshold, depending on clinical context.

[Acute carbon monoxide poisoning after water pipe tobacco smoking].

Carbon monoxide poisoning is potentially lethal, and early recognition and treatment is essential. An 18-year-old man was admitted due to syncope and a carboxyhaemoglobin level of 17% after water pipe tobacco smoking. He received normo- and hyperbaric oxygen as treatment and was discharged after two days without neurological sequelae. This case is the first in Denmark, but recently seven similar cases have been reported. The number of young people smoking water pipe tobacco is increasing, and we fear that more cases like this will occur in the future.

An Unusual Cause of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Narghile Smoking.

BACKGROUND Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is commonly seen during the winter season in Turkey due to use of charcoal stoves and water heaters, but narghile smoking is a rare cause of CO poisoning. CASE REPORT In this paper, we report a CO poisoning case caused by narghile smoking. The patient was admitted to the ED with nausea, dizziness, vertigo, and syncope. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of CO poisoning depends on suspicious anamnesis. The major treatment of CO poisoning is oxygen supply.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Caused by Water Pipe Smoking: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide-related symptoms caused by water pipe smoking may be a frequent occurrence. This might often be overlooked, because patients will not always identify the smoke exposure as the cause of their presenting complaints and may well withhold this information. CASE REPORT: A series of three patients who were 15 to 28 years of age presented to the emergency department with nonspecific symptoms and were found to have carbon monoxide poisoning from water pipe smoking. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case series might improve recognition of this phenomenon. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious problems, yet it could be easily diagnosed and treated. Identifying this condition can expedite treatment and prevent unnecessary diagnostic tests in an attempt to explain its symptoms.

Research report: Charcoal type used for hookah smoking influences CO production.

A hookah smoker who was treated for severe carbon monoxide poisoning with hyperbaric oxygen reported using a different type of charcoal prior to hospital admission, i.e., quick-light charcoal. This finding led to a study aimed at determining whether CO production differs between charcoals commonly used for hookah smoking, natural and quick-light. Our hypothesis was that quick-light charcoal produces significantly more CO than natural charcoal. A medium-sized hookah, activated charcoal filter, calibrated syringe, CO gas analyzer and infrared thermometer were assembled in series. A single 9-10 g briquette of either natural or quick-light charcoal was placed atop the hookah bowl and ignited. CO output (ppm) and temperature (degrees C) were measured in three-minute intervals over 90 minutes. The mean CO levels produced by quick-light charcoal over 90 minutes was significantly higher (3728 ± 2028) compared to natural charcoal (1730 ± 501 ppm, p = 0.016). However, the temperature was significantly greater when burning natural charcoal (292 ± 87) compared to quick-light charcoal (247 ± 92 degrees C, p = 0.013). The high levels of CO produced when using quick-light charcoals may be contributing to the increase in reported hospital admissions for severe CO poisoning.