Carboxyhemoglobin levels in medical intensive care patients a retrospective, observational study.docVIP

Fazekasetal.CriticalCare2012,16:R6 /content/16/1/R6 RESEARCH OpenAccess Carboxyhemoglobinlevelsinmedicalintensive carepatients:aretrospective,observationalstudy AndreasSFazekas1,2,MarleneWewalka3,ChristianZauner3andGeorg-ChristianFunk1,2* Abstract Introduction:Criticalillnessleadstoincreasedendogenousproductionofcarbonmonoxide(CO)duetothe inductionofthestress-responseenzyme,hemeoxygenase-1(HO-1).Thereisevidenceforthecytoprotectiveand anti-inflammatoryeffectsofCObasedonanimalstudies.Incriticallyillpatientsaftercardiothoracicsurgery,low minimumandhighmaximumcarboxyhemoglobin(COHb)levelsweresho