A 34-year-old man was admitted to our emergency center because of coma. He had been exposed to vehicle exhaust. His limbs were cyanotic and oxyhemoglobin saturation measured by pulseoximeter (SpO
2) was 82%, although he was suspected of CO poisoning. Arterial blood gas analysis under 100% oxygen showed PaO
2 348mmHg, PaCO
2 32.2mmHg, pH 7.41, SaO
2 98.2%, O
2Hb 42.4%, COHb 32.6% and MetHb 24.2%. In a case of CO poisoning with cyanosis by vehicle exhaust, we would expect methemoglobinemia to exist simultaneously with CO hemoglobinemia.
View full abstract