| methemalbumin | A 1:1 molar complex of haem or haematin and albumin formed after the dissociation of methemoglobin into haem or haematin and globin in plasma. This complex, which imparts a coffee-brown colour to plasma, occurs in haemolytic and haemorrhagic disorders. Its presence in plasma is used as a test to differentiate between haemorrhagic and edematous pancreatitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| methemalbuminaemia | The presence of methemalbumin in the circulating blood, indicative of haemoglobin breakdown; found in some patients with blackwater fever or paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria; described as a means of differentiating severe (haemorrhagic) from mild (edematous) pancreatitis, and also has been described in other acute conditions such as strangulation obstruction of intestine and mesenteric artery occlusion. (05 Mar 2000) |