Plasma ammonia in patients with acute leukemia.

Abstract

Plasma ammonia level (PAL) was studied in 43 cases of acute leukemia (AL). PAL was 39.21 +/- 26.2 mumol/L in normal controls and 38.8 +/- 16.6 mumol/L in leukemic patients before chemotherapy. High PAL was found in 40 cases after chemotherapy. Six cases showed clinical manifestations due to severe hyperammonemia, including dizziness, lethargy, confusion, coma and mental changes of various degree, and there was also respiratory alkalosis. After ammonia-trapping therapy, 4 of the 5 patients recovered. The authors believe that high PAL is not uncommon after chemotherapy in leukemic patients. Respiratory alkalosis and unexplained mental and neurologic changes following intensive chemotherapy are useful clues for the diagnosis of hyperammonemia syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment with ammonia-trapping may improve the rates of remission and survival.

• Authors: S R Xu, E G Yao, Z R Dong, R S Liu, L Pan, F R Lin, R X Zhang, M C Liu, B B Ma, J Q Yin
• Journal: Chinese medical journal (Chin Med J (Engl)) Vol. 105 Issue 9 Pg. 713-6 (Sep 1992) ISSN: 0366-6999 [Print] China
• PMID: 1288971 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ammonia

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ammonia (blood)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute (blood, drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (blood, drug therapy)