Masimo Corporation (MASI), a pioneer in non-invasive tests, recently reported that a fresh study, published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, found that results from its continuous and noninvasive methemoglobin (SpMet) test were, to a high degree, compatible with corresponding lab values for methemoglobin derived through invasive tests.  This study also concluded that SpMet may be used for early identification and treatment of methemoglobinemia (a blood disorder) during high-risk operations.
 
Methemoglobin (metHb) is an oxidized form of hemoglobin that is not able to transport oxygen. Methemoglobinemia is a disorder characterized by the presence of a higher than normal level of methemoglobin in the blood.
 
Methemoglobinemia may be caused by frequently used topical anesthetics, such as Lidocaine, Benzocaine, and Prilocaine, as well as 30 other commonly used drugs in outpatient and hospital encounters. If left undetected, this condition may result in a substantial drop in oxygen transported to the tissues, resulting in damage to vital organs.
 
Since vital organs may suffer damage within just a few minutes, prevention of injury requires early detection of this condition. Yet, unfortunately, older methods of detection either rely on physical symptoms, which may be somewhat subtle in nature, or on time consuming invasive lab tests.   
 
Against this backdrop, Masimo SpMet delivers a quick, precise and easy-to-use procedure for noninvasively and continuously measuring methemoglobin levels in the blood stream. This aids clinicians diagnose methemoglobinemia and then arrange for treatment and additional tests.
 
In their study, the researchers attached to the University Clinic of Schleswig-Hostein in Luebeck, Germany, compared the performance of SpMet from Masimo’s Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter with invasive arterial blood tests performed on 40 patients, taking Prilocaine as region-based anesthetic for surgery.
 
The study results demonstrated a “high degree of agreement in measurement” between noninvasive SpMet and corresponding laboratory-based results for methemoglobin. The researchers were thereby able to conclude that Masimo SpMet allows early diagnosis that guides treatment of methemoglobinemia.

 
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