[Prevision of the hazard of acute carbon monoxide poisoning. A nomogram for calculating blood HbCO on the basis of the carbon monoxide concentration in air, the length of exposure and the lung ventilation (author's transl)]

Abstract

The kinetics of carbon monoxide absorption was studied by the authors. An equation is proposed which enables to define the percentage of blood HbCO on the basis of the CO concentration in the air, the length of exposure, and the lung ventilation. The results proved to be satisfactory and were found to be comparable to the experimental data reported in the literature. A set of nomograms is reported which enables to define the blood HbCO saturation on the basis of the parameters which it depends on, therefore appearing to be very profitable to the physician in order to foresee and then prevent the hazard of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.