 Further treatment for other complications such as seizure , hypotension , cardiac abnormalities , pulmonary edema , and acidosis may be required . Increased muscle activity and seizures should be treated with <unk> or diazepam ; diazepam should only be given with appropriate respiratory support . Hypotension requires treatment with intravenous fluids ; vasopressors may be required to treat myocardial depression . Cardiac dysrhythmias are treated with standard advanced cardiac life support protocols . If severe , metabolic acidosis is treated with sodium bicarbonate . Treatment with sodium bicarbonate is controversial as acidosis may increase tissue oxygen availability . Treatment of acidosis may only need to consist of oxygen therapy . The delayed development of neuropsychiatric impairment is one of the most serious complications of carbon monoxide poisoning . Brain damage is confirmed following MRI or CAT scans . Extensive follow up and supportive treatment is often required for delayed neurological damage . Outcomes are often difficult to predict following poisoning , especially people who have symptoms of cardiac arrest , coma , metabolic acidosis , or have high carboxyhemoglobin levels . One study reported that approximately 30 % of people with severe carbon monoxide poisoning will have a fatal outcome . It has been reported that electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) may increase the likelihood of delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae ( DNS ) after carbon monoxide ( CO ) poisoning . 
