What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 37 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning treated with hyperbaric oxygen following wildfires in Funchal, Portugal, in August 2016.
What They Found
The study included 37 patients, 78% male, with a mean age of 38 years and a median carboxyhemoglobin level of 3.7%. Ninety-two percent of patients were discharged within 24 hours, and at 30-day follow-up, 20% developed late neurological syndrome.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients exposed to carbon monoxide during wildfires or similar events may benefit from prompt referral for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treatment could potentially reduce the risk of developing long-term neurological complications.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in Portugal.
Study Limitations
Limitations include the retrospective nature of this case series and the loss to follow-up of twelve patients at 30 days.