Poison gas could be a life-safer

CARBON monoxide, the poison gas produced by vehicle exhausts, could prove to be a life-saver for heart surgery patients, new research suggests.

Scientists found that rats exposed to the poison were less likely to suffer complications after undergoing heart operations. Carbon monoxide may therefore be beneficial in a wide range of heart and blood circulation diseases, the United States researchers believe.

Currently, the best treatment for patients with clogged arteries is bypass surgery or angioplasty.