ELEVATED METHEMOGLOBIN IN PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS

Background: It has been reported that large amounts of nitric oxide (N O) are released in patients with sepsis. NO is converted to methemoglo bin and nitrate. This study was designed to determine whether blood me themoglobin levels were increased in patients with sepsis or septic sh ock. Methods: Forty-five critically ill patients including 8 with seps is but without shock, 6 with septic shock and 31 non-septic patients w ere enrolled in the study. For septic and septic shock patients, blood methemoglobin concentrations were measured during sepsis or septic sh ock and at the time of recovery or just before the onset of sepsis. Fo r the remaining non-septic patients, methemoglobin concentrations were measured at ICU admission and discharge. Results: Blood methemoglobin levels in the presence of sepsis or septic shock were significantly ( P<0.05) higher than those in non-septic patients and those at recovery or just before the onset of sepsis in both septic and septic shock pa tients. Conclusions: Blood methemoglobin concentration may be useful a s a marker of the onset of sepsis or septic shock.