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January 26, 2007

Carbon Monoxide Saves ARDS Patients from Oxygen Damage

According to a new report, low-dose carbon monoxide blocks damage done to lungs by necessary oxygen therapy in people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The pure oxygen "saves their life in the short-term, but long-term exposure appears to cause significant damage to many cell types including the epithelial and endothelial cells of the lung," [lead author Dr. Augustine Choi] explained ... By administering oxygen mixed with a very small amount of carbon monoxide we may be able to significantly reduce such oxygen-associated damage and cell death."

Deadly gas may save lungs from oxygen damage

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