Chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. A report of two cases

Abstract

If acute carbon monoxide poisoning is a well-known emergency situation, this is not the case for chronic poisoning. The missed diagnosis of acute CO poisoning is a well-known problem but the identification of a chronic poisoning is very challenging. Knowledge and awareness of chronic poisoning is less defined and probably there is a great number of patients with undiagnosed chronic CO poisoning. It is possible that in case of missed diagnosis because of non-specific symptoms, chronic CO poisoning could be responsible for significant morbidity. We describe the case of a married couple who were rescued almost simultaneously, to show this clinical condition.