Researchers at University Hospitals of Strasbourg Have Published New Data on Pulmonary Embolism (Pulmonary embolism associated with recreational nitrous oxide use: a case report).

This article focuses on a case report linking recreational nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse to pulmonary embolism through severe hyperhomocysteinemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Researchers at the University Hospitals of Strasbourg documented a 25-year-old man with heavy N2O use who developed bilateral pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction, with no deep vein thrombosis but marked vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated homocysteine levels. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and vitamin B supplementation, highlighting the need for clinicians to consider N2O abuse and screen for hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B12 deficiency in young patients presenting with unexplained venous thromboembolism. The report underscores the thromboembolic risks associated with N2O-induced vitamin B12 inactivation. [Extracted from the article]