Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-mzp66 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-13T23:02:30.739Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Carbon monoxide poisoning in narghile (water pipe) tobacco smokers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2015

Giovanna La Fauci ,
Giora Weiser ,
Ivan P. Steiner  and
Itai Shavit
Giovanna La Fauci*
Affiliation:
Pediatric Department, Arcispedale S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
Giora Weiser
Affiliation:
Emergency Department, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
Ivan P. Steiner
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Itai Shavit
Affiliation:
Emergency Department, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
*
Emergency Department, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; i_shavit@rambam.health.gov.il

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Narghile (water pipe, hookah, shisha, goza, hubble bubble, argeela) is a traditional method of tobacco use. In recent years, its use has increased worldwide, especially among young people. Narghile smoking, compared to cigarette smoking, can result in more smoke exposure and greater levels of carbon monoxide (CO). We present an acutely confused adolescent patient who had CO poisoning after narghile tobacco smoking. She presented with syncope and a carboxyhemoglobin level of 24% and was treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Five additional cases of CO poisoning after narghile smoking were identified during a literature search, with carboxyhemoglobin levels of 20 to 30%. Each patient was treated with oxygen supplementation and did well clinically. In light of the increasing popularity of narghile smoking, young patients presenting with unexplained confusion or nonspecific neurologic symptoms should be asked specifically about this exposure, followed by carboxyhemoglobin measurement.

Keywords

carbon monoxideintoxicationnarghile
Type
Case Report • Rapport de Cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 57 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2012

References

REFERENCES

1.Knishkowy, B, Amitai, Y. Water-pipe (narghile) smoking: an emerging health risk behavior. Pediatrics 2005;116:e113–9, doi:10.1542/peds.2004-2173.Google Scholar
2.Chaouachi, K. Hookah (shisha, narghile) smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). A critical review of the relevant literature and the public health consequences. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2009;6:798–843, doi:10.3390/ijerph6020798.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Dar-Odeh, NS, Bakri, FG, Al-Omiri, MK, et al. Narghile (water pipe) smoking among university students in Jordan: prevalence, pattern and beliefs. Harm Reduct J 2010;7:10, doi:10.1186/1477-7517-7-10.Google Scholar
4.Primack, BA, Walsh, M, Bryce, C, et al. Waterpipe tobacco smoking among middle and high school students in Arizona. Pediatrics 2009;123:e282–8, doi:10.1542/peds.2008-1663.Google Scholar
5.Eissenberg, T, Shihadeh, A. Waterpipe tobacco and cigarette smoking direct comparison of toxicant exposure. Am J Prev Med 2009;37:518–23, doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2009.07.014.Google Scholar
6.Zahran, FM, Ardawi, MSM, al-Fayez, S. Carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations in smokers of sheesha and cigarettes in Saudi Arabia. BMJ 1985;291:1768–70, doi:10.1136/bmj.291.6511.1768-a.Google Scholar
7.Al-Moamary, MS, Al-Shammary, AS, Al-Shimemeri, AA, et al. Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning. Saudi Med J 2000;21:361–3.Google Scholar
8.Levant, A, Cabot, C, Genestal, M, et al. [Acute CO poisoning after smoking narghile]. Presented at the 22e Journée de Tabacologie; 2006; Paris.Google Scholar
9.Lim, BL, Lim, GH, Seow, E. Case of carbon monoxide poisoning after smoking shisha. Int J Emerg Med 2009;2:121–2, doi:10.1007/s12245-009-0097-8.Google Scholar
10.Uyanik, B, Arslan, ED, Akay, H, et al. Narghile (hookah) smoking and carboxyhemoglobin levels. J Emerg Med 2011;40:679.Google Scholar
11.Cavus, UY, Rehber, ZH, Ozeke, O, et al. Carbon monoxide poisoning associated with narghile use. Emerg Med J 2010;27:406, doi:10.1136/emj.2009.077214.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Wolf, SJ, Lavonas, EJ, Sloan, EP, et al. American College of Emergency Physicians. Clinical policy: critical issues in the management of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Ann Emerg Med 2008;51:138–52, doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.10.012.CrossRefGoogle Scholar