ABSTRACT

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and nonirritating gas produced as a by-product of combustion of carbon-containing compounds. CO is the leading cause of poisoning injury and death worldwide,1 and the most common cause of accidental and intentional poisoning in the United States. CO results in approximately 40,000 emergency department visits2 and 470 unintentional deaths per year in the United States.3 The brain and heart are particularly vulnerable

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following CO poisoning includes neurologic sequelae,4 abnormalities on brain imaging,4 affective changes,5 and cognitive impairments.4