rss
Emerg Med J 24:681 doi:10.1136/emj.2007.048991
  • Emergency casebook

Acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by oral methadone managed with non-invasive ventilation

  1. Z A Ridgway1,
  2. A J Pountney2
  1. 1Department of Anaesthesia, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
  2. 2Emergency Department, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Zoe A Ridgway
 Department of Anaesthesia, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK; zoe.tom{at}ntlworld.com
  • Accepted 24 May 2007

Abstract

Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is an uncommon complication of both methadone and heroin overdose, often requiring a period of invasive ventilation due to its severity. We report the successful, early use of non-invasive ventilation in the management of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema secondary to a non-fatal overdose of oral methadone.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests and funding: None.