Acquired methemoglobinemia during nitric oxide utilization in a pediatric heart transplantation: case report.

Abstract

A 7-year-old boy was admitted for evaluation to heart transplantation with a restrictive cardiopathy congenital associated to BAG3 gene. During childhood, he developed high pulmonary hipertension with a significant tricuspid insufficiency. At first post-operative, patient has evoluted with metabolic acidosis, shock refractory to volume and refractory hypoxemia presented at maneuvers physiotherapy. The levels of methemoglobin were checked on laboratory and the nitric oxide was immediately suspended. It started the administration of methylene blue in 3 mg/kg with progressive improvement of clinical situation. Levels of metheboglobin were 29,05 before the treatment and 5,2 after methylene blue administration. Conclusion: Metahemoglobinemia must be suspected in patients using NO. Elevated levels of metahemoglobin may be incompatible with life. Treatment should be instituted quickly and effectively.