Key investigations

Key investigations for carbon monoxide poisoning are:

• blood gas analysis, including carboxyhaemoglobin fraction
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• serum troponin concentration
• serum electrolyte, urea and creatinine concentrations
• blood lactate concentration
• blood glucose concentration
• radiological investigations—computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in patients with either acute or delayed onset of neurological signs
• bedside echocardiography in severe poisoning, particularly if there is ECG or laboratory evidence of myocardial injury.