Thiopental-Related Immune Hemolytic Anemia and Renal Failure

Abstract

NUMEROUS drugs have been reported to initiate the development of specific anti-drug antibodies in some patients. When the patient is subsequently exposed to the drug, these antibodies may induce the formation of a drug–antibody complex, and to a variable extent, they may induce hemolytic anemia, shock, and sometimes acute renal failure.¹ We describe a patient who acquired an antibody against thiopental, and we present evidence that the I antigen on the red-cell membrane was associated with the receptor site for the drug–antibody complex.Case ReportA 55-year-old man underwent hip arthroplasty. General anesthesia was induced with 450 mg of thiopental. . . .