Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia: a potentially fatal complication of transesophageal echocardiography

Authors

Rajesh Sachdeva, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610, USA.Follow
Jaime G. Pugeda
Linda R. Casale
Jay L. Meizlish
Stuart W. Zarich

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Texas Heart Institute journal

Abstract

We describe the cases of 2 patients who developed benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia after the administration of benzocaine as premedication for transesophageal echocardiography. The use of intravenous methylene blue resolved the cyanosis in both patients. Physicians who perform procedures involving the application of topical anesthesia need to be aware of this side effect to prevent morbidity and mortality.

First Page

308

Last Page

10

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Recommended Citation

Sachdeva, Rajesh; Pugeda, Jaime G.; Casale, Linda R.; Meizlish, Jay L.; and Zarich, Stuart W., "Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia: a potentially fatal complication of transesophageal echocardiography" (2003). Cardiology. 48.
https://scholar.bridgeporthospital.org/cardiology/48

Identifier

14677742 (pubmed); PMC307717 (pmc)