The relationship between intoxication severity and blood interleukin 6, interleukin 10 and CRP levels in carbon monoxide-poisoned patients.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most common causes of death due to intoxications. No biochemical marker is available to evaluate the severity of CO intoxication. We measured high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in patients with different degrees of CO poisoning. We prospectively included 40 CO-poisoned patients admitted to emergency services. Blood samples were collected from the patients at admission (0 hour) and after treatment (six hours). While all patients received normobaric oxygen (NBO2) therapy, patients with severe CO poisoning received additional sessions of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. Blood samples were also collected from a group of healthy volunteers (n=40). Serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured with the ELISA method while hs-CRP was quantified by turbidimetric analysis. At admission, IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (P=0.001), but IL-10 and hs-CRP levels were not significantly different between the groups. Compared to admission levels, IL-6 levels were higher at six hours (P=0.014). The patients were grouped according to treatment type (NBO2, HBO2) and history of syncope, but no significant differences were detected in patient subgroups regarding IL-6, IL-10 and hs-CRP levels. A weak positive correlation was found between COHb and lactate levels in patients (P=0.013; r=0.390).This study shows that IL-6 level increases in CO-poisoned patients, but it is not correlated with the severity of the intoxication.

Requests for emergency hyperbaric oxygen treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning in Ankara, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is common in Turkey. Our department is the main provider of emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in Ankara and neighboring cities. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of CO-poisoned patients who were referred by phone to our department for emergency HBOT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of phone consultations with emergency departments regarding the need for treatment of CO-poisoned patients with HBOT between 14 January 2014 and 14 January 2015. The following information was extracted from medical records: age, gender, CO source, exposure duration, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level, symptoms, electrocardiography (ECG) findings, cardiac enzymes, pregnancy, the distance of referring hospital to our centre, time between admission and consultation and HBOT decision. RESULTS: Over the one-year period, 562 patients with CO poisoning were referred for HBOT. We recommended HBOT for 289 (51%) patients. HBOT was recommended for 58% (n = 194) of the patients with COHb ≥ 25%, 72% (n = 163) of the patients with a history of syncope, 67% (n = 35) of the patients with ECG abnormality, and 67% (n = 14) of pregnant patients. Patients for whom HBOT was not recommended despite having positive signs of severe poisoning were referred significantly later compared to patients for whom HBOT was recommended. CONCLUSION: We found that the duration from admission to an emergency department to HBOT consultation affected our decision-making.

Sequential Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Synthetic Skin Substitute and Skin Grafting in the Treatment of a Refractory Vasculitic Ulcer.

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLCV) is a disorder characterized by the inflammation of the small vessels of the skin. CLCV may cause recurrent, drug-resistant, non-healing ulcers. Herein, we present a patient with a recalcitrant ulcer caused by CLCV, who was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and skin grafting. There is not any particular therapy/product that will heal all type of wounds. We can achieve better results provided that wound care products and advanced treatments are used at the right time.