Death from a morphine infusion during a sickle cell crisis.
A 15-year-old boy died during a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis after having received a prolonged infusion of morphine. Even in therapeutic doses, narcotics may cause significant respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia, enhancing polymerization of hemoglobin SS and thereby promoting sickling and vaso-occlusion. When narcotics are used during a sickle cell crisis, the best method is pharmacokinetically based patient-controlled analgesia.
Gerber
N
N
Department of Pharmacology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 43210-1239.
Apseloff
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*
D009020:Morphine