Methemoglobinemia: Toxicity of inhaled nitric oxide therapy.
Elevation in methemoglobin is a known toxicity of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) therapy. This article describes two significant episodes of methemoglobinemia. These cases illustrate the probable cause and the treatment strategies for the potential for delivery of high concentrations of NO, resulting in methemoglobinemia with moderate and even low-dose delivered NO. We propose mechanisms for this occurrence and means of prevention.
Taylor
M B
MB
Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Anesthesia (Drs. Taylor, Patel, and Churchwell) and the Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery (Dr. Christian), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Christian
K G
KG
Patel
N
N
Churchwell
K B
KB