[Myocardial infarction secondary to carbon monoxide poisoning--a study of two cases].

The carbon monoxide poisoning still remains a main cause of fatal poisoning. The carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after inhalation of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide binds strongly to molecules, such as cytochrome oxidase, myoglobin, hemoglobin, causing hypoxia of tissues and organs. Carbon monoxide converts hemoglobin to carboxyhemoglobin and makes transport of oxygen through the body impossible and causes severe hypoxia. The only treatment is administering 100% oxygen or providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The central nervous system and heart are the most sensitive to hypoxia. We present the cases of two young people with no history of chronic diseases (a 24-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman) who were diagnosed NSTEMI in the course of severe carbon monoxide poisoning. Both poisoning cases were severe, both patients were unconscious when they were admitted to our hospital. We observed elevation of serum troponin level and changes in ECG (e.g. atrial fibrillation) significant for myocardial infarction.