El rol del laboratorio en los hallazgos de intoxicación y exposición a monóxido de carbono / The role of the laboratory in findings of carbon monoxide poisoning and exposure

El monóxido de carbono es un gas altamente tóxico que se origina principalmente por la combustión incompleta de combustibles fósiles. La intoxicación presenta síntomas inespecíficos que solapan otras patologías y por lo tanto es indispensable la confirmación mediante la medición de la carboxihemoglobina en sangre. El laboratorio incorporó la determinación en el informe del estado ácido base a partir de octubre del 2018, debido a que previamente el médico debía solicitarla frente a la sospecha de una intoxicación. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar si esta medida implementada por el laboratorio contribuyó a mejorar el diagnóstico de intoxicación por CO, analizar las características de los pacientes con COHb mayor o igual a 5% y definir un valor de reporte inmediato para la COHb. El 46% de los casos con COHb mayor o igual a 5% no se relacionaban con una intoxicación y/o exposición a CO. De los casos de intoxicación se encontró que el 77% fueron diagnosticados a partir de la sospecha médica y un 23% por hallazgo del laboratorio. Se concluyó que es de mucha utilidad el rol del laboratorio en detectar aquellos casos que no fueron evidentes clínicamente. Existen ciertas patologías como las oncológicas o la enfermedad de Wilson donde se vieron valores elevados de COHb sin presentar intoxicación y se definió finalmente, como valor de reporte inmediato 7% para la COHb. (AU)

Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that originates mainly from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Intoxication causes nonspecific symptoms that overlap with other conditions and, therefore, confirmation by measuring blood carboxyhemoglobin is essential. The laboratory incorporated the measurement in the acid-base status report as of October 2018, as it was previously required to be requested by the physician in case of suspected intoxication. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this measure implemented by the laboratory contributed to the improvement of the diagnosis of CO intoxication, to analyze the characteristics of patients with COHb greater than or equal to 5% and to define an immediate reporting value for COHb. Overall, 46% of the cases with COHb greater than or equal to 5% were not related to CO poisoning and/or exposure. Of the cases of intoxication, 77% were diagnosed based on medical suspicion and 23% on laboratory findings. It was concluded that the laboratory has a useful role in detecting cases that were not clinically evident. There are certain diseases including different types of cancer or Wilson's disease where elevated COHb values were seen without intoxication and finally, 7% for COHb was defined as the immediate reporting value (AU)

Intoxicación por monóxido de carbono: estudio observacional de pacientes que acudieron a Urgencias durante 2020 / Carbon monoxide poisoning: an observational study of patients admitted to Emergency Department during 2020

El objetivo fue describir las intoxicaciones monóxido de carbono. Se diseñó un corte transversal que incluyó una muestra consecutiva de mediciones de carboxihemoglobina (COHb), realizadas Enero y Diciembre 2020 en la Central de Emergencias del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Se utilizaron bases secundarias y revisión manual de historias clínicas para recolección de varia-bles de interés. Durante el período de estudio hubo 20 pacientes confirmados, con media de 50 años (DE 20), 55% sexo masculino, 20% tabaquistas, y una única embarazada. El 70% correspondieron al trimestre Junio-Julio-Agosto. La fuente de intoxicación más frecuente se debió a accidentes domésticos (calefón, estufa, brasero, hornalla, salamandra) que representaron el 50% de los casos, 30% por incendios, y el 20% restante explicado por tabaco o factor desconocido. Los estudios de laboratorio más solicitados fueron: 95% recuento de glóbulos blancos, 85% glucemia, 70% CPK, y 55% troponina. Los hallazgos relevantes fueron COHb con mediana de 7.15%, CPK con mediana de 89 U/mL, y troponina con mediana de 8.5 pg/mL. La totalidad se realizó electrocardiograma: 15% presentaron arritmia como hallazgo patológico, y ninguno isquemia. En cuanto la presentación clínica: 30% presentó cefalea, 15% síncope, 15% coma, 10% mareos y 10% convulsiones. Sólo 25% tuvieron tomografía y 15% resonancia de cerebro, sin hallazgos críticos. Sin embargo, 15% fueron derivados para trata-miento con cámara hiperbárica. La mayoría ocurrieron en invierno y explicados por accidentes domésticos. Será necesario un fortalecimiento del rol preventivo que apunte al control de la instalación y el buen funcionamiento de artefactos, como mantener los ambientes bien ventilados (AU)

The objective was to describe carbon monoxide poisoning. A cross sectional was designed, which included a consecutive sample of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurements, carried from January to December 2020 at the Emergency Department of tHospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Secondary databases and manual review of medical records were used to collect variables of interest. During the study period there were 20 confirmed patients, with a mean age of 50 (SD 20), mostly male (55%), 20% smokers, and only one pregnant woman, 70% corresponded to June-July-August. The most frequent source of poisoning was explained to domestic accidents (water heater, stove, brazier, stove, salamander) which represented 50% of cases, 30% due to fires, and the remaining 20% by tobacco or unknown factor. The most laboratory studies were: 95% white blood cell count, 85% glycemia, 70% CPK, and 55% troponin. Meanwhile, relevant findings were carboxyhemoglobin with a median of 7.15%, CPK with a median of 89 U/mL, and troponin with a median of 8.5 pg/mL. All underwent an electrocardiogram: 15% presented arrhythmia as a pathological finding, and none ischemia. Regarding the clinical presentation: 30% presented headache, 15% syncope, 15% coma, 10% dizziness and 10% seizures. Only 25% had brain tomography and 15% MRI, without pathological findings. However, 15% were referred for treatment with a hyperbaric chamber. Most of the cases occurred in winter and explained by domestic accidents. It will be necessary to strengthen the preventive role that aims to control the installation and the proper functioning of devices, such as keeping rooms well ventilated (AU)

Changes of HbCO in the Blood of Rats with Different CO Concentration and Inhalation Time / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the change rules of behavioral characteristics, survival time and saturation of carboxyhemoglobin （HbCO） in different CO concentration to provide experimental basis for the cases of CO poisoning death in forensic practice.@*METHODS@#Total 160 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. CO with the concentration of 1 250 mg/m³, 3 750 mg/m³, 6 250 mg/m³ were continuously and respectively replenished in a self-made toxicant exposure equipment until rats died from poisoning. In different CO concentration, the behavioral characteristics and survival time of poisoning rats were observed and recorded. The saturation of HbCO in heart blood was detected by spectrophotometric method. Organs such as brain, heart, lung and liver, and heart blood were obtained via autopsy and histopathological observation was performed.@*RESULTS@#The behavioral characteristics of CO poisoning rats were limp and slow response. There were a gradual decrease of survival time and an increase of HbCO saturation in rats with the increase of CO concentration. Three rats in CO concentration of 1 250 mg/m³ group showed lower saturations of HbCO than the lethal dose and this situation hasn't been found in other groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The animal model of CO poisoning established under different CO concentration has the advantages such as simplicity and good repeatability, which lays a foundation to the further study for CO and other inhaled toxic gas in the research of forensic sciences.

Serum bilirubin value predicts hospital admission in carbon monoxide-poisoned patients. Active player or simple bystander?

OBJECTIVES:Although carbon monoxide poisoning is a major medical emergency, the armamentarium of recognized prognostic biomarkers displays unsatisfactory diagnostic performance for predicting cumulative endpoints.METHODS:We performed a retrospective and observational study to identify all patients admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning during a 2-year period. Complete demographical and clinical information, along with the laboratory data regarding arterial carboxyhemoglobin, hemoglobin, blood lactate and total serum bilirubin, was retrieved.RESULTS:The study population consisted of 38 poisoned patients (23 females and 15 males; mean age 39±21 years). Compared with discharged subjects, hospitalized patients displayed significantly higher values for blood lactate and total serum bilirubin, whereas arterial carboxyhemoglobin and hemoglobin did not differ. In a univariate analysis, hospitalization was significantly associated with blood lactate and total serum bilirubin, but not with age, sex, hemoglobin or carboxyhemoglobin. The diagnostic performance obtained after combining the blood lactate and total serum bilirubin results (area under the curve, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-0.99; p<0.001) was better than that obtained for either parameter alone.CONCLUSION:Although it remains unclear whether total serum bilirubin acts as an active player or a bystander, we conclude that the systematic assessment of bilirubin may, alongside lactate levels, provide useful information for clinical decision making regarding carbon monoxide poisoning.

Relation between workplace accidents and the levels of carboxyhemoglobin in motorcycle taxi drivers / Associacao entre acidentes de trabalho e os niveis de carboxi-hemoglobina em trabalhadores mototaxistas / Asociacion entre accidentes de trabajo y los niveles de carboxihemoglobina en trabajadores moto-taxistas

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relation between workplace accidents and the levels of carboxyhemoglobin found in motorcycle taxi drivers. METHOD: correlational, quantitative study involving 111 workers and data obtained in July 2012 through a questionnaire to characterize the participants and blood collection to measure carboxyhemoglobin levels. RESULT: 28.8% had suffered workplace accidents; 27.6% had fractured the lower limbs and significant symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure were verified in smokers. The carboxyhemoglobin levels were higher among smokers and victims of workplace accidents. CONCLUSION: motorcycle taxi drivers had increased levels of carboxyhemoglobin, possibly due to the exposure to carbon monoxide; these levels are also increased among smokers and victims of workplace accidents. The study provides advances in the knowledge about occupational health and environmental science, and also shows that carboxyhemoglobin can be an indicator of exposure to environmental pollutants for those working outdoors, which can be related to workplace accidents. .

OBJETIVO: verificar a associação entre acidentes de trabalho e os níveis de carboxi-hemoglobina apresentados por trabalhadores mototaxistas. MÉTODO: estudo correlacional, quantitativo, com 111 trabalhadores e dados obtidos em julho de 2012, por meio de questionário de caracterização dos sujeitos e coleta sanguínea para dosagem de carboxi-hemoglobina. RESULTADO: 28,8% sofreram acidentes de trabalho, 27,6% apresentaram fraturas em membros inferiores e constatou-se significância de sintomas de exposição ao monóxido de carbono entre fumantes. Os níveis de carboxi-hemoglobina apresentaram-se superiores entre fumantes e acidentados do trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: mototaxistas apresentam níveis de carboxi-hemoglobina aumentados, possivelmente pela exposição ao monóxido de carbono; esses níveis também aumentam entre os fumantes e acidentados do trabalho. O estudo propicia avanços do conhecimento em relação às temáticas da saúde do trabalhador e ciências ambientais, e indica que a carboxi-hemoglobina pode ser um indicador de exposição aos poluentes ambientais para quem trabalha a céu aberto e estar relacionada a acidente de trabalho. .

OBJETIVO: verificar la asociación entre accidentes de trabajo y los niveles de carboxihemoglobina presentados por trabajadores moto-taxistas. MÉTODO: estudio de correlación, cuantitativo, con 111 trabajadores y datos recolectados en julio del 2012 mediante cuestionario de caracterización de los sujetos y recolecta sanguínea para dosificación de carboxihemoglobina. RESULTADO: el 28,8% sufrió accidentes de trabajo; 27,6% presentó fracturas en miembros inferiores y se constató significancia de síntomas de exposición al monóxido de carbono entre fumantes. Los niveles de carboxihemoglobina se revelaron superiores entre fumantes y accidentados de trabajo. CONCLUSIÓN: moto-taxistas muestran niveles de carboxihemoglobina aumentados, posiblemente debido a la exposición al monóxido de carbono; estos niveles también aumentan entre los fumantes y accidentados de trabajo. El estudio propicia avances del conocimiento con relación a la temáticas de la salud ocupacional y ciencias ambientales e indica que la carboxihemoglobina puede ser un indicador de exposición a los contaminantes ambientales para quien trabaja a cielo abierto y está relacionada a accidente de trabajo. .

Effects of a Smoking Cessation Education on Smoking Cessation, Endothelial Function, and Serum Carboxyhemoglobin in Male Patients with Variant Angina

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a smoking cessation education on endothelial function and carboxyhemoglobin levels in smokers with variant angina. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 60 male smokers with variant angina admitted to one hospital: the control group (30) between September and December, 2009, and the experimental group (30) between February and May, 2010. Endothelial function, as defined by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and serum carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were determined at baseline and at 3 months after the initiation of education in both groups. RESULTS: Three months after the program, smoking cessation was successful in 22 of the 30 smokers in the experimental group, but only in 4 of 30 smokers in the control group (p<.001). After the education, the experimental group showed a significant increase in FMD, and a significant decreased in serum COHb compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that this smoking cessation education program is effective for hospitalized smokers with variant angina.

Daño al ADN en mujeres expuestas al humo de la leña en Chiapas, México / DNA damage in women exposed to firewood fuel smoke in Chiapas, Mexico

Actualmente alrededor de la cuarta parte de la población mexicana, entre 25 y 28 millones de habitantes, cocina con leña. Sin embargo, el humo de la leña contiene una amplia gama de sustancias tóxicas, entre ellas el monóxido de carbono (CO) cuyo impacto en la salud de la población rural debe ser estudiado. Por esto, el potencial daño al ADN asociado con la exposición a CO de 30 mujeres que cocinaban con leña en Chiapas, México, fue evaluado por el ensayo cometa. Los resultados se compararon con 30 controles comparables en edad y condiciones socioeconómicas, quienes cocinaban con gas licuado de petróleo (GLP). Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre total para medir carboxihemoglobina (COHb) y llevar a cabo el ensayo cometa. Se encontró diferencia significativa (P<0,001) en las concentraciones de COHb entre las mujeres que cocinaban con leña (media= 6,6%) y las que lo hacían con GLP (media= 1,8%), siendo 3,6 veces más elevadas en las primeras antes citadas que en las segundas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la longitud de cola (media ± DE = 18,5 +/- 4,21 contra 5,97 +/- 1,0 μm, P<0,001) y en el momento de cola (media ± DE = 4,55 +/- 1,5 contra 1,5 +/- 0,40, P<0,001) del cometa entre los dos grupos examinados. Los resultados del presente estudio sugieren fuertemente que la exposición a CO y componentes presentes en el humo de la leña, puede causar daño genotóxico a las mujeres que hacen uso de este combustible, por lo que es necesario implementar medidas que disminuyan esta exposición.

Currently, about a quarter of the Mexican population, between 25 and 28 million people, cook with firewood. However, wood smoke contains a wide range of toxic substances, including carbon monoxide (CO) whose impact on health of the rural population should be studied. Therefore, the potential DNA damage associated with the exposition to CO of 30 women who cooked with wood in Chiapas, Mexico, was assessed using Comet Assay. Results were compared with 30 controls of similarage and socioeconomic status, who cooked with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). We obtained whole blood samples to measure carboxyhemoglobin (% COHb) and perform the comet assay. There was a significant difference (P <0.001) in the percentages of COHb between women who cooked with wood (mean= 6.6%) and those who did it with LPG (mean=1.8%) being 3.6 times higher in the former compared with the latter. There was a significant difference in comet tail length between the two groups examined (mean 18.5 +/- 4.21 versus 5.97 +/- 1.0 μm, P <0.001) and tail moment (mean 4.55 +/- 1.5 versus 1.5 +/- 0.40, P <0.001). The results of this study strongly suggest that exposure to carbon monoxide and compounds present in wood smoke can cause genotoxic damage to women who use this fuel, so it is necessary to implement measures to reduce this exposure.

potential role of ozone in treatment of carbon monoxide toxicity

Carbon monoxide is one of the most toxic and widely spread domestic poisons. The most important medical condition that requires administration of oxygen is carbon monoxide toxicity. The oxygen in carbon monoxide toxicity can be administered at the normal oxygen tension or at higher tension [hyperbaric oxygen]. Ozone is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It has a number of medical uses. In this study, 10 heavy smokers were tested for the effect of ozone therapy on their arterial oxygen in blood and their medical condition regarding any associated symptoms. Medical symptoms such as headache, anxiety, drowsiness showed some improvement. Arterial oxygen tension [PaO[2]] showed statistically significant increase after 5 sessions of ozone therapy in comparison to before treatment level, while the increase was statistically not significant after 10 sessions in comparison to its level after 5 sessions. Regarding the effect of ozone therapy on the level of carboxyhemoglobin, it showed that there was statistically significant reduction in the CoHb level after 5 sessions in comparison with the resting level [before treatment] and also, there was highly statistically decrease in its level after 10 sessions in comparison to its level after 5 sessions. Regarding ozone therapy on the PaCO2, it showed statistically non significant decrease in PaCO2 after 5 sessions of treatment in comparison to its resting level

Evaluation of blood carboxyhemoglubin level and soot in airways and its application for differentiate of antemortem and postmortem burn in charred body reffered to central legal medicine organization of IRI from 2005 -2006

With attention to high prevalence of fire death and its multiple problems for determination of death cause in charred body and differentiate antemortem from postmortem burn, make use of vitality sign, at fire, example blood carboxyhemoglubin [HBCO] level and presence of soot in air ways evaluated as indicator of antimortem burn. This study is analytic, cross-sectional that conduct in central LMO of IRI at 2005 -2006 and for this study we evaluate 47 charred fire victims, with attension of family and related members history, external examination and autopsy finding, penal recordes, definite antimortem and postmortem burn separated and then evaluate HBCO and presence of soot in victim's airways. A majority of victims 93.6% [44 cases] were male, 6.4% [3 cases] female. 59.6% [28 cases] of them were between 20-39 years old, postmortem burn 29.8% [14 cases] and antemortem burn was 40.4% [19 cases]. In victims with postmortem burn 92.9% [13 cases] have negative HBCO, and 7.1% [1 case] positive HBCO. But in cases with antemortem burn and evidence of life during fire progression 42.1% [8 cases] have positive HBCO, and 57.9% [11 cases] have negative HBCO. In cases with positive HBCO 80% [8 cases] have antimortem burn but in cases with negative HBCO 35% [11 cases] have postmortem burn. With attention to results, in cases with positive HBCO, 80% of victims [8 cases] have antimortem burn that show persons was alive during fire. But 10% of victims [1 case] has postmortem burn that it possible antimortem burn disappear with stability of burn after death. This title at reverse is not conclusive. This study shows that in victims with negative HBCO, search of other cause of death such as, homicide, natural diseases or suicide [for uses of accelerator substances] is more likely nessesary

The stability of carbon monoxide in stored blood samples / 法医学杂志

Based on the records of carboxyhemoglobin in blood samples stored for recent years, the stability of carboxyhemoglobin in these samples could be affected by the containers, the storage temperatures, the volumes of air above the blood, the saturation of the initial carboxyhemoglobin and preservatives added in these blood samples, among which the storage temperatures, the volumes of air above the blood and the saturation of the initial carboxyhemoglobin are the major influence factors.

Contaminación por monóxido de carbono: un problema de salud ambiental / Carbon monoxide contamination: an environmental health problem

El monóxido de carbono es considerado uno de los mayores contaminantes de la atmósfera terrestre. Sus principales fuentes productoras responsables de aproximadamente 80 por ciento de las emisiones, son los vehículos automotores que utilizan como combustible gasolina o diesel y los procesos industriales que utilizan compuestos del carbono. Esta sustancia es bien conocida por su toxicidad para el ser humano. Sus efectos tóxicos agudos incluida la muerte han sido estudiados ampliamente; sin embargo, sus potenciales efectos adversos a largo plazo son poco conocidos. En los últimos años, los estudios de investigación experimentales en animales y epidemiológicos en humanos han evidenciado relación entre población expuesta en forma crónica a niveles medios y bajos de monóxido de carbono en aire respirable y la aparición de efectos adversos en la salud humana especialmente en órganos de alto consumo de oxígeno como cerebro y corazón. Se han documentado efectos nocivos cardiovasculares y neuropsicológicos en presencia de concentraciones de monóxido de carbono en aire inferiores a 25 partes por millón y a niveles de carboxihemoglobina en sangre inferiores a 10 por ciento. Las alteraciones cardiovasculares que se han descrito son hipertensión arterial, aparición de arritmias y signos electrocardiográficos de isquemia. Déficit en memoria, atención, concentración y alteraciones del movimiento tipo parkinsonismo, son los cambios neuropsicológicos con mayor frecuencia asociados a exposición crónica a bajos niveles de monóxido de carbono y carboxihemoglobina.

Carbon monoxide is considered to be a major factor contaminating earths atmosphere. The main sources producing this contamination are cars using gasoline or diesel fuel and industrial processes using carbon compounds; these two are responsible for 80 percent of carbon monoxide being emitted to the atmosphere. This substance has a well-known toxic effect on human beings and its acute poisonous effects (including death) have been widely studied; however, its long-term chronic effects are still not known. During the last few years, experimental research on animals and studies of human epidemiology have established the relationship between chronic exposure to low and middle levels of carbon monoxide in breathable air and adverse effects on human health, especially on organs consuming large amounts of oxygen such as the heart and brain. Harmful cardiovascular and neuropsychological effects have been documented in carbon monoxide concentration in air of less than 25 ppm and in carboxyhaemoglobin levels in blood of less than 10 percent. The main cardiac damage described to date has been high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythm and electrocardiograph signs of ischemia. Lack of memory, attention, concentration and Parkinson-type altered movement are the neuropsychological changes most frequently associated with chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide and carboxyhaemoglobin.

Precisión y exactitud de un oxímetro de pulso "de bolsillo" en la ciudad de México / Precision and accuracy of "a pocket"pulse oximeter in Mexico City

Background. Pulse oximeters are frequently used in the clinical practice and we must known their precision and accuracy. The objective was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of a "pocket" pulse oximeter at an altitude of 2,240 m above sea level. Methods. We tested miniature pulse oximeters (Onyx 9,500, Nonin Finger Pulse Oximeter) in 96 patients sent to the pulmonary laboratory for an arterial blood sample. Patients were tested with 5 pulse oximeters placed in each of the fingers of the hand oposite to that used for the arterial puncture. The gold standard was the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood sample. Results. Blood samples had SaO2 of 87.2 ± 11.0 (between 42.2 and 97.9%). Pulse oximeters had a mean error of 0.28 ± 3.1%. SaO2 - (1.204 x SpO2) - 17.45966 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Intraclass correlation coefficient between each of five pulse oximeters against the arterial blood standard ranged between 0.87 and 0.99. HbCO (2.4 ± 0.6) did not affect the accuracy. Conclusions. The miniature oximeter Nonin is precise and accurate at 2,240 m of altitude. The observed levels of HbCO did not affect the performance of the equipment. The oximeter good performance, small size and low cost enhances its clinical usefulness.

Introducción. Los oxímetros de pulso son ampliamente utilizados en la práctica clínica y su precisión y exactitud deben conocerse especialmente en altitudes moderadas como en la ciudad de México. El objetivo principal fue evaluar la precisión y exactitud de un oxímetro de pulso "de bolsillo" (Onyx 9500 de Nonin®) en la ciudad de México. Métodos. Se realizaron mediciones de la saturación de oxígeno estimada por el oxímetro de pulso (SpO2) y se compararon contra la medida espectrofotométricamente en sangre arterial (SaO2) en 96 pacientes que acudieron al laboratorio de fisiología pulmonar del Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias. A cada paciente se le colocaron cinco oxímetros de pulso en los dedos de una mano obteniéndose un promedio de SpO2 para cada uno de los oxímetros y para los cinco oxímetros a la vez, mediciones que se compararon de manera simultánea contra el estándar. Resultados. Las muestras sanguíneas de los 96 pacientes que participaron tuvieron una SaO2 de 87.2 ± 11.0 (entre 42.2-97.9%). Los oxímetros (promedio de los cinco) tuvieron un error de medición promedio de 0.28 ± 3.1%. SaO2 = (1.204 x SpO2) - 17.45966 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Los coeficientes de correlación intraclase que se obtuvieron al comparar los oxímetros entre sí y contra el estándar (SaO2) estuvieron entre 0.87 y 0.99. El nivel de carboxihemoglobina (HbCO) fue de 2.4 ± 0.6% y no afectó significativamente la exactitud del oxímetro. Conclusiones. El oxímetro digital de pulso "de bolsillo" es preciso y exacto en la estimación de la SaO2 a 2,240 metros de altitud. Los niveles observados de HbCO (2.4%) no afectaron su exactitud. Se observó un adecuado desempeño del oxímetro digital de pulso en la ciudad de México.

Efeito do tabagismo sobre a liberação de prolactina, produção láctea e componentes imunes do leite de ratas / Effect of tobacco smoke on prolactin levels, milk production and immune composition in rats

Para avaliar os efeitos do tabagismo passivo na lactação, ratas foram expostas durante a gravidez e a lactação a um sistema de inalação de fumaça lateral do cigarro. Foram avaliados peso materno no período, crescimento dos filhotes na gestação e lactação, produção de leite, níveis de IgA sérico e lácteo e o efeito do tabaco sobre a liberação de prolactina mediada pela sucção. Foi observado que a exposição ao tabaco comprometeu o ganho de peso materno, o peso e comprimento ao nascer e o crescimento posterior dos filhotes, de forma mais intensa que o simples manuseio. A produção de leite e os níveis de IgA também foi prejudicada. O retardo na liberação de prolactina observado pode estar associado a exposição ao tabaco ou ao estresse do modelo experimental/In order to evaluate the passive smoking effect on lactation, rats were exposed from pregnancy through lactation to tobacco sidestream smoke. Mother weight, pups weight and length, milk production, seric and milk IgA and tobacco effect on prolactin release under sucking stimulus were measured. It was observed that tobacco exposure more intensively than experimental handling, compromised mother weight gain and pup growth. Milk production was also damaged. A relapse in prolactin release was observed and may be associated to tobacco exposure but also to animal experimental stress...

A study on the effect of methanal during determination of carbon monoxide in blood / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To confirm whether formaldehyde disturb detecting carbon monoxide in blood. To give an evidence that can be used for detecting carboxyhemoglobin more accurately in carbon monoxide posioning appraises.@*METHODS@#Blood samples came from carbon monoxide poisoning and the health were collected. Regular methods for detecting carboxyhemoglobin were used. Observing and comparing the detection results between which were spiked with methanal and no spiked one were performed.@*RESULTS@#Methanal will affect the result of following experiments such as heating, adding NaOH, absorbed by PdCl2 and spectrophotometry.@*CONCLUSION@#The samples which contaminated by formaldehyde couldn't be used for detecting carboxyhemoglobin.

Factors affecting the determination of the percent carboxyhemoglobin saturation of blood / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate factors affecting the determination of the percent carboxyhemoglobin saturation (HbCO%) of blood in an attempt to offer further data for results interpretation and sample storage requirement.@*METHODS@#The HbCO% of blood samples stored in various conditions were detected by three spectrophotometries during the succeeding 30 days.@*RESULTS@#The data detected by reductive double-wavelength spectrophotometry and double-wavelength spectrophotometry were more stable than mono-wavelength spectrophotometry. The HbCO% of blood was significantly related with the storage conditions which include temperature, time and the degree of exposure to air.@*CONCLUSION@#Determinations of HbCO% are reliable which performed by reductive double-wavelength spectrophotometry and double-wavelength spectrophotometry, combine with spectral scans. During 30 days, blood stored at 4 degrees C exposed to a limited volume of air does not influence the determination of HbCO%.

Intoxicación por monóxido de carbono / Carbon monoxide toxicity

La intoxicación por monóxido de carbono (CO), constituye un problema de alta mortalidad. En Estados Unidos alrededor de 10.000 personas pierden al menos 1 día de trabajo debido a una intoxicación por CO, y se produce alrededor de 3.000 muertes al año por esta causa. La incidencia de intoxicación por CO en nuestro país no es bien conocida, debido en parte a que es una condición subdiagnosticada, sin embargo estaría dentro de las primeras causas de intoxicación en la población general. En los últimos años esta intoxicación ha despertado mayor preocupación y difusión por medios periodísticos, por lo que se han adoptado medidas de fiscalización más rigurosas

Comparación de los niveles de monóxido de carbono espirado por transeúntes de un área urbana y de un área rural / Comparison of carbon monoxide levels in air expired from pedestrian in an urban area and a rural area

Los daños a la salud producidos durante una exposición aguda al monóxido de carbono (CO) son bien conocidos. En cambio, sus efectos crónicos aún son controvertidos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el grado de exposición al CO, de algunos transeúntes de la ciudad de México, mediante la medición de la concentración de CO en el aire espirado. Material y métodos: Se realizaron mediciones de la concentración de CO en el aire espirado de 892 transeúntes del Distrito Federal (D.F.), México, empleando un analizador de CO marca Spirometrics, modelo 3100 CMD/I que además estima el contenido de carboxihemoglobina (COHb) en la sangre. La determinación de la concentración del CO en el aire espirado de los transeúntes urbanos y rurales, se realizó en los meses de febrero y marzo de 1996 en diferentes áreas del D.F.: zonas centro (CE), noroeste (NO), noreste (NE), sureste (SE) y suroeste (SO), como grupo control se seleccionó al azar una muestra de transeúntes de una zona rural (RU) de la Delegación Milpa Alta. Resultados: De los 892 sujetos seleccionados para el estudio, 366 fueron del sexo femenino (41 por ciento) y 526 del masculino (59 por ciento). La edad media fue de 36.3 años. Se registraron 303 fumadores (34 por ciento) y 589 (66 por ciento) no fumadores. En el grupo total, la concentración media de CO fue 7.14 partes por millón (ppm), con rango de 1.4 a 40.1 ppm, mientras que la cifra media del COHb fue 1.01 por ciento con un rango de 0 a 15 por ciento. Al realizar análisis multivariado con regresión múltiple, encontramos que los predictores del aumento en la concentración del CO medido en el aire espirado de los transeúntes fueron: 1) sexo masculino; 2) número diario de cigarros consumidos; 3) las zonas NE y NO, y 4) tránsito intenso. En este estudio el promedio resultó 6.1 ppm en no fumadores y 9.1 ppm en fumadores. La norma ambiental extramuros para el CO es 11 ppm, y en nuestro estudio hubieron reportes que la sobrepasaron. Conclusiones: El CO espirado es un excelente marcador de exposición, muy útil para estudiar grupos de riesgo, como es el caso de las personas que permanecen varias horas en cruceros viales con tránsito intenso o en los fumadores en quienes, de acuerdo al nivel de CO en aire espirado es posible estimar su grado de tabaquismo. Por otra parte, este procedimiento adquiere relevancia si se considera que se ha relacionado la intoxicación crónica por CO con la vasculopatía de los fumadores y con la aterogénesis.

Estudo de alguns parâmetros hematológicos em fumantes / Study of some hematological parameters in smokers

Com a finalidade de verificar a ocorrência ou näo de alteraçöes nos níveis de hemoglobina, hematócrito e número de eritrócitos em consumidores de tabaco, foi realizado o estudo destes parâmetros, assim como dos teores de carboxihemoglobina, numa populaçäo de 200 fumantes, de diferentes sexo, idade e tempo de uso do cigarro. Os resultados mostraram que o número de cigarro fumados por dia, apesar de aumentar os níveis de COHb, näo alteraram significativamente os parâmetros hematológicos, ao se considerar os valores médios obtidos em toda a populaçäo avaliada. Apenas os fumantes crônicos de mais de 20 cigarros por dia mostraram ligeiro aumento de hematócrito, eritrócito e hemoglobina. Näo foi verificada correlaçäo linear entre a COHb e os parâmetros hematológicos