A registry for carbon monoxide poisoning in New York City. Hyperbaric Center Advisory Committee Emergency Medical Service, City of New York.

In 1983 the North American Hyperbaric Center (affiliated with Bronx Municipal Hospital Center) was designated to provide Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for carbon monoxide (CO) patients meeting Emergency Medical System (EMS) criteria: 1. Unconscious or CNS derangement, any carboxyhemoglobin level [( COHb]); 2. [COHb] 25% or more; 3. Pregnant, any [COHb]. Through 1984, 39 CO patients received HBO; in 1985 81 were treated including 8 pregnant and 16 pediatric. CO sources were: fire, 43; heater, 21; engine, 17. 42 of 59 acute patients were initially in coma; 16 required CPR. Time to HBO averaged 4.5 hrs. Mean hospital [COHb] was 31% for acute, 28% for subacute/chronic, 15% for pregnant; mean maximum [COHb] was estimated: 51% for acute, 40% for subacute/chronic patients. Mean half life for [COHb] was 2.1 hrs. HBO typically was 46 min at 3ATA (2 [COHb] half lives), presented few problems, and gave rapid clinical improvement. 13 of 19 patients comatose before HBO were responsive after HBO (mean [COHb] was 1.8%). Four pediatric deaths occurred; brain damage was noted in two other patients. EMS efforts to make HBO available for CO is a success.