Methemoglobinemia reversed
article written by anesthet.
Methemoglobinemia values of less than 20% usually do not produce any clinical symtoms. The usual clinical signs of this condition are seen mostly in medically compromised patients, where cyanosis of the nail beds and lips may be seen. Although the possibility of methemoglobinemia occurring in dental patients is extremely rare, we suggest not to use prilocaine because the metabolite toluidine is present during metabolism. Methemoglobinemia can be rapidly reversed by the use of 1 - 2 mg/kg of body weight of methylene blue administed intravenously over a five minuite period. However, we always suggest a call to 911 as your first action in any emergency. Please visit our course topics at http://www.anestheticsnews.com or e-mail us at localanesthetics@yahoo.ca (M.Sc. Phm CCPE)
