Carboxy HB in critically ill cardiac patients prevalence and prognosstic implications

ABSTRACT

To assess the prevalence and role of COHB among critically ill cardiac patients, 57 male and 15 female cardiac patients were studied. Compared with control subjects, critically ill cardiac patients exhibited significantly higher values of COHB on admission and through the hospital course and on discharge. Comparing of the 54 uncomplicated cardiac patients with the 18 complicated patients exhibited a significantly higher level of COHB at time of crises, significantly higher P50 and significantly lower PH. In both complicated and non-survivor cardiac cases the greater increment in value of COHB and P50 were recorded on the last samples. Despite being equally exposed to prevailing environmental pollution, critically ill cardiac patients have a significantly higher level of COHB on admission, and through the hospital course. The paradoxical increase in P50 with better enhancement and O2 delivery is teleologically an attempt at compensation for the failing circulatory system not only related to drop in PH but possibly also to increase endogenous production of 2-3 DPG