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Abstract Carbon monoxide gas (CO) poisoning has severe clinical effects including high rate of morbidity and mortality, so, it must be considered as an important health problem in many countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide gas poisoning on the cardiac, respiratory and vestibular systems. It was carried out over a period of 7 months from 1-11-2012 to 31-5-2013 on 50 patients who admitted in poison control center of El-Minia university hospital, and were diagnosed as CO poisoning. Their ages were between 3-61 years. Both sexes were included in the study. Full clinical examination was done to all patients with a special concern to cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Electrocardiography (ECG), chest x-ray and arterial blood gas (ABG) were performed on arrival. Cardiac Troponin I (CTnI) was done only to patients with abnormal ECG. Also, video-nystgumography (VNG) was performed to assess the equilibrium at the level of inner ear vestibule. Palpitation and dyspnea were the most common cardiac manifestations, while headache and disturbed level of consciousness of variable degrees were the most common neurological manifestations. Chest x-ray showed that 48% of patients had normal chest x-ray and 52% had abnormal ones in the form of; groung glass appearance, Perihilar haze, or peribronchial & perivascular cuffing. All detectable ECG abnormalities were all manifestation of hypoxic effects on the heart: 46% had sinus tachycardia, 42% had ST segment depression, 20% had inter-ventricular conduction (I.V.C) delay, 20% had P- pulmonale, 8% had rapid atrial fibrillation, 6% had ST segment elevation ( suggestive of myocardial infarction) , 4% had T wave inversion, 2% had extra-systole, and 2% had FV systole. There was significant correlation between occurrences of sinus tachycardia, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and IVC delay with age. But there was no significant correlation between age and sex or VNG in CO poisoned patients. |