Methemoglobinemia

Background

Methemoglobinemia.JPG
  • Methemoglobin refers to ferric form of hemoglobin (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
    • Cyanokit, nitrites, nitrates, well water (nitrates)
    • Antimalarials
    • Quinolones
    • Dapsone (used to treat leprosy, PCP pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, brown recluse bite)
    • Aniline dyes
    • Phenazopyridine[3]

Clinical Features

Cyanosis from methemoglobinemia.
Cyanosis resolved after methylene blue.

Differential Diagnosis

  • Consider rare entity of sulfhemoglobinemia
    • Sulfonamides, sulfasalazine, phenazopyridine
    • Occupational exposure
    • Conventional co-oximerty misidentifies sulfhemoglobin as methemoglobin so diagnosis is suspected when patient does not respond to methylene blue
    • Typically requires no treatment other than removal of offending agent
    • Blue-green discoloration of blood

Acute dyspnea

Emergent

Non-Emergent

Evaluation

Chocolate-brown blood due to methemoglobinemia.
Chocolate-brown blood due to methemoglobinemia.

thumb|Color chart for the detection of the amount of methemoglobin in the blood.

  • Co-oximetry
    • Measures relative levels of oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin
    • Usually performed on arterial blood sample, but fingertip CO-oximeter devices are available
  • Normal PaO2
  • 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 with MetHb >25%
    • 1-2mg/kg Methylene blue IV over 5min; repeat dose if no effect
    • Improvement seen within 20min
    • Contraindicated in G6PD deficiency
      • May induce acute hemolytic anemia
      • Instead use moderate dose of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 300 to 1000 mg/day orally in divided doses
  • Other treatment modalities[5]
    • Exchange transfusion for symptomatic methemoglobinemia in patient with G6PD deficiency
    • Hyperbaric O2 when methylene blue ineffective or contraindicated
    • IV hydration and bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis

Disposition

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. Jeffery WH, Zelicoff AP, Hardy WR. Acquired methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia after usual doses of phenazopyridine. Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1982 Feb;16(2):157-9.
  4. Denshaw-Burke et al. Methemoglobinemia: Practice Essentials. Jan 4, 2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204178-overview
  5. Denshaw-Burke et al. Methemoglobinemia: Practice Essentials. Jan 4, 2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204178-overview