The Efficacy of L-Carnitine in the Management of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A randomized clinical trial (phase II) will be conducted at Alexandria Main University Hospital. The total required sample size is 72. The sample size was calculated by G power 3.1.9.4 software program depending on the primary outcome. According to these assumptions: Effect size, defined as the difference between group 1 and group 2 in the mean troponin levels at 24 hr, was calculated according to Sun et al. (2011) and was 0.657, alpha error =0.05, power of 80%, allocation ratio 1:1. A 20% expected attrition was added to the sample size to account for loss to follow-up. So, the final sample size was 72; 36 patients per group. All patients will be subject to the following: 1. History taking: * Personal data: age, and sex. * Exposure-related data: circumstances of exposure, and time till hospitalization. * Past medical history. 2. Clinical assessment: * Glasgow coma scale, vital signs, and general examination. * Laboratory investigations: arterial blood gases (ABG), Carboxy hemoglobin level (COHb), and cardiac enzymes (CPK, CK-MB, Troponin). * Electrocardiogram (ECG).