Methemoglobinemia: Difference between revisions

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**50-60%: myocardial ischemia, dysrhythmias, depressed mental status, seizure
**50-60%: myocardial ischemia, dysrhythmias, depressed mental status, seizure
**>70%: usually fatal
**>70%: usually fatal
*Ask about family or personal hx of G6PD deficiency as methylene blue contraindicated<ref>Denshaw-Burke et al. Methemoglobinemia: Practice Essentials. Jan 4, 2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204178-overview</ref>


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==

Revision as of 21:34, 14 February 2016

Background

  • Methemoglobin refers to ferric form of Hb (Fe3+) that is unable to bind O2
  • Suspect in any patient with cyanosis not responsive to supplemental O2
  • Causes[1][2]
    • Rarely congenital, NADH reductase deficiency - unable to reduce ferric to ferrous iron (Fe3+ --> Fe2+
    • Exposure to oxidizing agent
      • Benzocaine and other local anesthetics
      • CN kit, nitrites, nitrates, well water (nitrates)
      • Antimalarials
      • Quinolones
      • Dapsone (leprosy, PCP pna, toxoplasmosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, brown recluse bite)
      • Aniline dyes

Clinical Features

  • Depends on level of metHb
    • Pts with anemia or preexisting cardiopulmonary disease will show symptoms sooner
    • <20%: asymptomatic, gray-blue cyanosis
    • 20-30%: anxiety, HA, weakness, light-headedness, tachycardia
    • 50-60%: myocardial ischemia, dysrhythmias, depressed mental status, seizure
    • >70%: usually fatal
  • Ask about family or personal hx of G6PD deficiency as methylene blue contraindicated[3]

Differential Diagnosis

Acute dyspnea

Emergent

Non-Emergent

Diagnosis

  • Co-oximetry
    • Measures relative levels of oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin
    • Usually performed on arterial blood sample, but fingertip CO-oximeter devices are available
  • SpO2 will initially be falsely elevated
    • Once MetHb >30% → SpO2 will fall to 80-85%
    • Mid-80s SpO2 due to light absorption of both oxyHb and deoxyHb
  • "Chocolate brown" color of blood

Management

  • Methylene Blue
    • Treat if symptomatic OR asymptomatic w/ MetHb >25%
    • 1-2mg/kg Methylene Blue IV over 5min; repeat dose if no effect
    • Improvement seen within 20min

See Also

References

  1. Fernandez-Frackelton M, Bocock J: Cyanosis, in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 7. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 29:p 211-216.
  2. Mody, A., Silverman, B.: Problems in the Early Neonatal Period, In Fleisher and Ludwig's Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Lippincott, WIlliams and Wilkins 2010, Page 995.
  3. Denshaw-Burke et al. Methemoglobinemia: Practice Essentials. Jan 4, 2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204178-overview