title: Methylene blue and vasoplegia: who, when, and how?
abstract: Systemic inflammatory response can be associated with clinically significant and, at times, refractory hypotension. Despite the lack of uniform definitions, this condition is frequently called vasoplegia or vasoplegic syndrome (VS), and is thought to be due to dysregulation of endothelial homeostasis and subsequent endothelial dysfunction secondary to direct and indirect effects of multiple inflammatory mediators. Vasoplegia has been observed in all age groups and in various clinical settings, such as anaphylaxis (including protamine reaction), sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, hemodialysis, and cardiac surgery. Among mechanisms thought to be contributory to VS, the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway appears to play a prominent role. In search of effective treatment for vasoplegia, methylene blue (MB), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase (GC), has been found to improve the refractory hypotension associated with endothelial dysfunction of VS. There is evidence that MB may indeed be effective in improving systemic hemodynamics in the setting of vasoplegia, with reportedly few side effects. This review describes the current state of clinical and experimental knowledge relating to MB use in the setting of VS, highlighting the potential risks and benefits of therapeutic MB administration in refractory hypotensive states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Traumatology and Surgical Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3440 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA-19104, USA. stawicki_ace@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S Peter
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stawicki
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarani
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Vicente H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Gracias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013577:Syndrome; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008751:Methylene Blue