Dark Green Blood In The Operating Theatre

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a case report of a man who exhibited green blood during an operation, exploring the potential causes and implications of this phenomenon. Participants delve into historical and biological contexts, as well as comparisons with other blood types and colors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the implications of seeing green blood during surgery, suggesting it could be alarming for medical professionals.
  • Others note that green blood has historical precedents, citing the use of sulfur as a treatment in the past and its potential role in altering blood color.
  • One participant questions the presence of other metal moieties in hemoglobin, specifically mentioning copper in mollusks and its relation to blood color.
  • Another participant speculates about the possibility of a dye being injected, indicating a lack of evidence for such an occurrence in the case report.
  • There is a discussion about the color of blood in different organisms, with references to haemocyanin in mollusks and the color changes associated with it.
  • Some participants express curiosity about the laboratory analysis of sulfhemoglobin and its visual characteristics.
  • Humorous remarks are made about fictional characters, such as Vulcans, in relation to the topic of unusual blood colors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the causes of green blood, with multiple competing views and hypotheses presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about blood color and its relation to different elements or compounds remain speculative, and the discussion does not resolve the scientific basis for the observed phenomenon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying biology, medicine, or chemistry, particularly in the context of blood composition and unusual physiological phenomena.

Ivan Seeking
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The unusual case of a man who produced green blood when undergoing a operation is analysed in a Case Report in this week's edition of The Lancet.

Dr Stephan Schwarz and Dr Alana Flexman, Department of Anaesthesia, St Paul's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and colleagues performed the operation and authored the Case Report. [continued]
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/73473.php
 
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Wow, that must be very scary, as being the operator. Watching green blood instead of a healthy red is enough to make anyone think twice before continuing.

Interesting case, thanks!.
 
While it is a bit shocking, a hundred years ago people took sulpher as a common cure for several ailments, so green blood has been around for a while. We just are not use to seeing today.
Green blood occurs when a sulphur atom gets incorporated into the oxygen-carrying haemoglobin protein of blood.
 
I thought the only other metal moeity in hemoglobin was copper in the Mollusca... You know - octopus, squid, clams, etc. Interesting.
 
He's one of the crab people!
 
I looked for some reference to a dye being injected that was green in color but did not see such. The sulfur angle is another interesting result of body chemistry.
 
If we get copper instead, wouldn't our blood turn blue?

Blue blood > Green blood.
 
The dark blue blood you are thinking of is because of the protein haemocyanin which is the oxygen carrier in the blood of most molluscs. Its actually colourless when deoxygenated. I'm not sure if there is anything that has naturally green blood.
 
I wish I would get a sample of sulfhemoglobin in the lab...that would be neat to see.
 
  • #10
Of course the guy could have just been a Vulcan.
 
  • #11
If I remember correctly, Spiders naturally have blue blood due to having sulphur instead of iron in the haem group.

Green blood, can't think of any, besides the Statue of Liberty, who is turning greener and greener by the moment.