SERUM PROFILE OF MYOCARDIAL ENZYMES DURING CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO LOW LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the major sources of urban air pollution. Since exposure to CO converts hemoglobin (Hb) to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), thereby reducing the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood and placing an additional strain upon the cardiovascular system to maintain adequate tissue oxygenation, this present investigation was undertaken to ascertain the effects of chronic exposure (up to six months) to relatively low levels of carbon monoxide (50-150 ppm) of dogs with prior myocardial infarction. Serum profiles of enzymes of the myocardium (CPK, GOT, LDH) throughout the six-month exposure period failed to provide evidence of secondary myocardial infarction.