Getting the blues at a rock concert: a case of severe methaemoglobinaemia.
Methaemoglobin is the form of haemoglobin in which the iron moiety of the haem group has been oxidized from the ferrous to the ferric state. Methaemoglobinaemia is due to either an increase in the production of the oxidized haem moiety or due to decreased conversion back to the reduced form. This article presents a case of amyl nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia and discusses the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. gentrywlk@gmail.com
R Gentry
RG
Wilkerson
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009146:Music; D009566:Nitrates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010092:Oximetry; D000439:Pentanols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009566:Nitrates; D000439:Pentanols; D000431:Ethanol; D008751:Methylene Blue; C036285:amyl nitrate