Coexistence of carbon monoxide intoxication and COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction This case report aimed to report two patients admitted to the emergency department with a preliminary diagnosis of carbon monoxide intoxication and was diagnosed with COVID-19 during their follow-up. Case 1 A 73-year-old female patient presented with weakness and shortness of breath complaints to the emergency department. Carboxyhemoglobin (COhgb) reached 36.2 %. Atypical pneumonic infiltration with peripheral and central patchy consolidations in the zones in hemothorax images from computerized tomography. The patient was tested positive for COVID-19 after a PCR test. The COhgb values of the patient reached 16 % after 3 h. Then, it dropped to 3.0 % after 8 h. Case 2 A 77-year-old male patient presented with shortness of breath and nausea complaints to the emergency department. COhgb (carboxyhemoglobin) reached 30%. Emphysematous changes in the lung parenchyma and increased peribronchial densities in the lobes were shown in computed tomography. The patient was tested positive for COVID-19 after a PCR test. The COhgb values of the patient reached 13 after 3 h. It dropped to 2.4 after 8 h. Conclusion Carbon monoxide intoxication is a significant public health problem with a high probability of death. Detailed studies and meta-analyses are needed to affect the prognosis of COVID-19 disease.