Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is the term used to describe hemoglobin
(the protein in red blood cells that normally carries oxygen from the lungs to
the rest of the body) that has bonded with carbon monoxide instead of
Carbon monoxide's bond with hemoglobin is much stronger than
oxygen's bond with hemoglobin. When hemoglobin binds with carbon monoxide
instead of oxygen, the blood can no longer carry enough oxygen.
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology
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