Related Experiment Videos
Death from a morphine infusion during a sickle cell crisis
1Department of Pharmacology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 43210-1239.
Abstract:
A 15-year-old boy died during a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis after having received a prolonged infusion of morphine. Even in therapeutic doses, narcotics may cause significant respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia, enhancing polymerization of hemoglobin SS and thereby promoting sickling and vaso-occlusion. When narcotics are used during a sickle cell crisis, the best method is pharmacokinetically based patient-controlled analgesia.
Insights
Narcotics can worsen sickle cell crises by causing respiratory issues that enhance red blood cell sickling. Patient-controlled analgesia is recommended for managing pain during sickle cell crises.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Opioid analgesics are commonly used for pain management in sickle cell disease.
- Prolonged infusions of narcotics may lead to adverse respiratory effects.
- These effects can potentially exacerbate sickle cell vaso-occlusive crises.