Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for carbon monoxide intoxication acquired in the sealed room during the Persian Gulf war

During the recent Persian Gulf war, the civilian population in Israel was frequently instructed to stay in sealed rooms in preparation for a possible chemical missile attack. The war broke out in mid-winter, and in many instances it was necessary to heat the rooms. The use of open fires or malfunctioning heating appliances inside sealed rooms could create ideal conditions for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Six patients with CO intoxication resulting from confinement inside sealed rooms were referred for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. Indications for HBO therapy were loss of consciousness and metabolic acidosis. The treatment protocol consisted of 90-min exposure to 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA), with repeated exposures when required. All patients made a full recovery. The risk of CO poisoning should be taken into consideration and should determine the selection of heating devices for future use in similar circumstances.