Nitrous Oxide Use Precipitates Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report
Cureus September 1, 2024 N. Nguyen, Jessica Cao, Deborah Carlson et al.
A healthy patient who used nitrous oxide recreationally every day developed venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary emboli. Nitrous oxide interferes with vitamin B12, causing hyperhomocysteinemia, which can make blood more prone to clotting. Anticoagulation therapy led to significant improvement in the pulmonary emboli. As recreational nitrous oxide use rises, clinicians should recognize that hyperhomocysteinemia from the drug may create a thrombotic state.