Acquired methemoglobinemia: a rare but serious complication.

Prakash B. Patel, Guy W. Logan, Anand B. Karnad, Ryland P. Byrd, Thomas M. Roy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Topical and local anesthetics are employed during minor invasive procedures to increase patient tolerance and to reduce the need for intravenous sedation. A potentially fatal complication of these anesthetics is methemoglobinemia (Met-Hgb). Met-Hgb should be suspected in patients with cyanosis that does not respond to administration of oxygen and who have a discrepancy in oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry compared with the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) determined by blood gas analysis. We present a patient who developed life-threatening Met-Hgb from the local anesthesia required during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)373-376
Number of pages4
JournalTennessee medicine : journal of the Tennessee Medical Association
Volume96
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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