Toxic methemoglobinemia: a rare but serious complication of transesophageal echocardiography.
Cyanosis occurring during a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is usually related to the respiratory depressant effect of the administered sedative. However, acute toxic methemoglobinemia related to topical benzocaine is a rare and not well recognized but potentially life threatening cause of cyanosis during or after TEE. A case of this condition is presented and the literature on its frequency, diagnosis and management is briefly reviewed.
Department of Echocardiography, Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut 06102-5037, USA.
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D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000633:toxicity; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001566:Benzocaine