A 54-year-old man presents with cyanosis and dyspnea 4 hours after dental work with topical anesthesia. Vitals show HR 98 bpm, BP 132/78 mmHg, RR 22/min, SpO2 85% on room air. Arterial blood gas reveals normal PaO2 of 95 mmHg. Methemoglobin level is elevated at 18%. He denies chest pain or recent medications. Which topical anesthetic agent is most likely responsible for this presentation?
- A)Donepezil
- B)Sevoflurane
- C)BenzocaineGABARITO
- D)Lidocaine
- E)Bupivacaine
Explicação
Benzocaine is the correct answer because certain local anesthetics, especially benzocaine and prilocaine, can cause methemoglobinemia, producing low oxygen saturation with a normal PaO2 and chocolate-brown blood. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →