Methylene Blue Citations: The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

  1. Weingartner R, Oliveira E, Oliveira ES, Sant’Anna UL, Oliveira RP, Azambuja LA, Friedman G. Blockade of the action of nitric oxide in human septic shock increases systemic vascular resistance and has detrimental effects on pulmonary function after a short infusion of methylene blue. Braz J Med Biol Res. 1999 Dec;32(12):1505-13. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879×1999001200009. PMID: 10585632.
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  2. Diaz Soto JC, Nabzdyk CGS. Running on (Too Many) Fumes? Gaseous Mediators in Septic Shock: A Possible Role for High-Dose Vitamin B12. Chest. 2023 Feb;163(2):262-263. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.10.012. PMID: 36759109.
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  3. Muhammad R, Dharmadjati BB, Mulia EPB, Rachmi DA. Vasoplegia: Mechanism and Management Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Eurasian J Med. 2022 Feb;54(1):92-99. doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2022.20394. PMID: 35307639; PMCID: PMC9634875.
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  4. Ozal E, Kuralay E, Yildirim V, Kilic S, Bolcal C, Kücükarslan N, Günay C, Demirkilic U, Tatar H. Preoperative methylene blue administration in patients at high risk for vasoplegic syndrome during cardiac surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 May;79(5):1615-9. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.10.038. PMID: 15854942.
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  5. Ibarra-Estrada M, Kattan E, Aguilera-González P, Sandoval-Plascencia L, Rico-Jauregui U, Gómez-Partida CA, Ortiz-Macías IX, López-Pulgarín JA, Chávez-Peña Q, Mijangos-Méndez JC, Aguirre-Avalos G, Hernández G. Early adjunctive methylene blue in patients with septic shock: a randomized controlled trial. Crit Care. 2023 Mar 13;27(1):110. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04397-7. PMID: 36915146; PMCID: PMC10010212.
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  6. Schumacher LD, Blumer V, Chaparro SV. Methylene blue-induced serotonin syndrome after left ventricular assist device implantation: A case report and literature review. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017 Sep;154(3):e39-e43. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.05.053. Epub 2017 May 24. PMID: 28655448.
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  7. Katzianer D, Chism K, Qureshi AM, Watson R, Massey HT, Boyle AJ, Reeves G, Danelich I. Serotonin syndrome following left ventricular assist device implantation: A report and institution-specific strategy for prevention. J Cardiol Cases. 2019 Sep 17;20(6):218-220. doi: 10.1016/j.jccase.2019.09.004. PMID: 31762837; PMCID: PMC6859538.
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  8. Basta MN. Postoperative Serotonin Syndrome Following Methylene Blue Administration for Vasoplegia After Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Mar;25(1):51-56. doi: 10.1177/1089253220960255. Epub 2020 Sep 21. PMID: 32951524.
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  9. Cruise C, MacKinnon J, Tough J, Houston P. Comparison of meperidine and pancuronium for the treatment of shivering after cardiac surgery. Can J Anaesth. 1992 Jul;39(6):563-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03008319. PMID: 1643679.
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  10. Wolvetang T, Janse R, Ter Horst M. Serotonin Syndrome After Methylene Blue Administration During Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report and Review. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2016 Aug;30(4):1042-5. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2015.11.019. Epub 2015 Dec 1. PMID: 27130452.
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  11. Katzianer D, Chism K, Qureshi AM, Watson R, Massey HT, Boyle AJ, Reeves G, Danelich I. Serotonin syndrome following left ventricular assist device implantation: A report and institution-specific strategy for prevention. J Cardiol Cases. 2019 Sep 17;20(6):218-220. doi: 10.1016/j.jccase.2019.09.004. PMID: 31762837; PMCID: PMC6859538.
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  12. Pruna A, Bonaccorso A, Belletti A, Turi S, Di Prima AL, D’amico F, Zangrillo A, Kotani Y, Landoni G. Methylene Blue Reduces Mortality in Critically Ill and Perioperative Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2023 Oct 1:S1053-0770(23)00802-9. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2023.09.037. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37880041.
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  13. Kram SJ, Kram BL, Cook JC, Ohman KL, Ghadimi K. Hydroxocobalamin or Methylene Blue for Vasoplegic Syndrome in Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Feb;36(2):469-476. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2021.05.042. Epub 2021 May 27. PMID: 34176677.
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  14. Brokmeier HM, Seelhammer TG, Nei SD, Gerberi DJ, Mara KC, Wittwer ED, Wieruszewski PM. Hydroxocobalamin for Vasodilatory Hypotension in Shock: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis for Comparison to Methylene Blue. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2023 Sep;37(9):1757-1772. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2023.04.006. Epub 2023 Apr 7. PMID: 37147207.
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  15. Klijian A, Khanna AK, Reddy VS, Friedman B, Ortoleva J, Evans AS, Panwar R, Kroll S, Greenfeld CR, Chatterjee S. Treatment With Angiotensin II Is Associated With Rapid Blood Pressure Response and Vasopressor Sparing in Patients With Vasoplegia After Cardiac Surgery: A Post-Hoc Analysis of Angiotensin II for the Treatment of High-Output Shock (ATHOS-3) Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Jan;35(1):51-58. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.08.001. Epub 2020 Aug 7. PMID: 32868152.
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  16. Robinson DN, McFadzean WA. Pulse oximetry and methylene blue. Anaesthesia. 1990 Oct;45(10):884-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1990.tb14584.x. PMID: 2240510.
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  17. Eisenkraft JB. Methylene blue and pulse oximetry readings: spuriouser and spuriouser. Anesthesiology. 1988 Jan;68(1):171-2. doi: 10.1097/00000542-198801000-00041. PMID: 3337381.
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  18. Gachot B, Bedos JP, Veber B, Wolff M, Regnier B. Short-term effects of methylene blue on hemodynamics and gas exchange in humans with septic shock. Intensive Care Med. 1995 Dec;21(12):1027-31. doi: 10.1007/BF01700666. PMID: 8750129.
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  19. McCartney SL, Duce L, Ghadimi K. Intraoperative vasoplegia: methylene blue to the rescue! Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2018 Feb;31(1):43-49. doi: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000548. PMID: 29176374.
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  20. Jang DH, Nelson LS, Hoffman RS. Methylene blue for distributive shock: a potential new use of an old antidote. J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep;9(3):242-9. doi: 10.1007/s13181-013-0298-7. PMID: 23580172; PMCID: PMC3770994.
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  21. Arevalo VN, Bullerwell ML. Methylene Blue as an Adjunct to Treat Vasoplegia in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Literature Review. AANA J. 2018 Dec;86(6):455-463. PMID: 31584419.
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  22. Puntillo F, Giglio M, Pasqualucci A, Brienza N, Paladini A, Varrassi G. Vasopressor-Sparing Action of Methylene Blue in Severe Sepsis and Shock: A Narrative Review. Adv Ther. 2020 Sep;37(9):3692-3706. doi: 10.1007/s12325-020-01422-x. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32705530; PMCID: PMC7444404.
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  23. Petermichl W, Gruber M, Schoeller I, Allouch K, Graf BM, Zausig YA. The additional use of methylene blue has a decatecholaminisation effect on cardiac vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2021 Jul 28;16(1):205. doi: 10.1186/s13019-021-01579-8. PMID: 34321019; PMCID: PMC8320154.
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  24. Ortoleva JP, Cobey FC. A Systematic Approach to the Treatment of Vasoplegia Based on Recent Advances in Pharmacotherapy. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019 May;33(5):1310-1314. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2018.11.025. Epub 2018 Nov 24. PMID: 30598380.
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  25. Zhao CC, Zhai YJ, Hu ZJ, Huo Y, Li ZQ, Zhu GJ. Efficacy and safety of methylene blue in patients with vasodilatory shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Sep 26;9:950596. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.950596. PMID: 36237547; PMCID: PMC9552293.
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  26. Maslow AD, Stearns G, Butala P, Schwartz CS, Gough J, Singh AK. The hemodynamic effects of methylene blue when administered at the onset of cardiopulmonary bypass. Anesth Analg. 2006 Jul;103(1):2-8, table of contents. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000221261.25310.fe. Erratum in: Anesth Analg. 2007 Jan;104(1):50. Batula, Parag [corrected to Butala, Parag]. PMID: 16790616.
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  27. Kirov MY, Evgenov OV, Evgenov NV, Egorina EM, Sovershaev MA, Sveinbjørnsson B, Nedashkovsky EV, Bjertnaes LJ. Infusion of methylene blue in human septic shock: a pilot, randomized, controlled study. Crit Care Med. 2001 Oct;29(10):1860-7. doi: 10.1097/00003246-200110000-00002. PMID: 11588440.
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  28. Hohlfelder B, Douglas A, Wang L, Wanek M, Bauer SR. Association of Methylene Blue Dosing With Hemodynamic Response for the Treatment of Vasoplegia. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Sep;36(9):3543-3550. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2022.04.003. Epub 2022 Apr 7. PMID: 35697643.
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  29. Puntillo F, Giglio M, Pasqualucci A, Brienza N, Paladini A, Varrassi G. Vasopressor-Sparing Action of Methylene Blue in Severe Sepsis and Shock: A Narrative Review. Adv Ther. 2020 Sep;37(9):3692-3706. doi: 10.1007/s12325-020-01422-x. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32705530; PMCID: PMC7444404.
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  30. Mazzeffi M, Hammer B, Chen E, Caridi-Scheible M, Ramsay J, Paciullo C. Methylene blue for postcardiopulmonary bypass vasoplegic syndrome: A cohort study. Ann Card Anaesth. 2017 Apr-Jun;20(2):178-181. doi: 10.4103/aca.ACA_237_16. PMID: 28393777; PMCID: PMC5408522.
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  31. Busse LW, Barker N, Petersen C. Vasoplegic syndrome following cardiothoracic surgery-review of pathophysiology and update of treatment options. Crit Care. 2020 Feb 4;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s13054-020-2743-8. PMID: 32019600; PMCID: PMC7001322.
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  32. Authors/Task Force members; Windecker S, Kolh P, Alfonso F, Collet JP, Cremer J, Falk V, Filippatos G, Hamm C, Head SJ, Jüni P, Kappetein AP, Kastrati A, Knuuti J, Landmesser U, Laufer G, Neumann FJ, Richter DJ, Schauerte P, Sousa Uva M, Stefanini GG, Taggart DP, Torracca L, Valgimigli M, Wijns W, Witkowski A. 2014 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocardial revascularization: The Task Force on Myocardial Revascularization of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)Developed with the special contribution of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Eur Heart J. 2014 Oct 1;35(37):2541-619. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehu278. Epub 2014 Aug 29. PMID: 25173339.
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  33. Argenziano M, Chen JM, Choudhri AF, Cullinane S, Garfein E, Weinberg AD, Smith CR Jr, Rose EA, Landry DW, Oz MC. Management of vasodilatory shock after cardiac surgery: identification of predisposing factors and use of a novel pressor agent. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1998 Dec;116(6):973-80. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5223(98)70049-2. PMID: 9832689.
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  34. Paciullo CA, McMahon Horner D, Hatton KW, Flynn JD. Methylene blue for the treatment of septic shock. Pharmacotherapy. 2010 Jul;30(7):702-15. doi: 10.1592/phco.30.7.702. PMID: 20575634.
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  35. Yiu P, Robin J, Pattison CW. Reversal of refractory hypotension with single-dose methylene blue after coronary artery bypass surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1999 Jul;118(1):195-6. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5223(99)70161-3. PMID: 10384205.
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  36. Perdhana F, Kloping NA, Witarto AP, Nugraha D, Yogiswara N, Luke K, Kloping YP, Rehatta NM. Methylene blue for vasoplegic syndrome in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2021 Oct;29(8):717-728. doi: 10.1177/0218492321998523. Epub 2021 Mar 2. PMID: 33653154.
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  37. Ortoleva J, Roberts RJ, Devine LT, French A, Kawabori M, Chen F, Shelton K, Dalia AA. Methylene Blue for Vasoplegia During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Sep;35(9):2694-2699. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.12.042. Epub 2020 Dec 29. PMID: 33455885.
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  38. Furnish C, Mueller SW, Kiser TH, Dufficy L, Sullivan B, Beyer JT. Hydroxocobalamin Versus Methylene Blue for Vasoplegic Syndrome in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Jul;34(7):1763-1770. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.01.033. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 32115360.
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  42. Cai Y, Mack A, Ladlie BL, Martin AK. The use of intravenous hydroxocobalamin as a rescue in methylene blue-resistant vasoplegic syndrome in cardiac surgery. Ann Card Anaesth. 2017 Oct-Dec;20(4):462-464. doi: 10.4103/aca.ACA_88_17. PMID: 28994688; PMCID: PMC5661322.
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  43. Feih JT, Rinka JRG, Zundel MT. Methylene Blue Monotherapy Compared With Combination Therapy With Hydroxocobalamin for the Treatment of Refractory Vasoplegic Syndrome: ARetrospective Cohort Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019 May;33(5):1301-1307. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2018.11.020. Epub 2018 Nov 16. PMID: 30606508.
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  44. Kirov MY, Evgenov OV, Evgenov NV, Egorina EM, Sovershaev MA, Sveinbjørnsson B, Nedashkovsky EV, Bjertnaes LJ. Infusion of methylene blue in human septic shock: a pilot, randomized, controlled study. Crit Care Med. 2001 Oct;29(10):1860-7. doi: 10.1097/00003246-200110000-00002. PMID: 11588440.
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  45. Memis D, Karamanlioglu B, Yuksel M, Gemlik I, Pamukcu Z. The influence of methylene blue infusion on cytokine levels during severe sepsis. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2002 Dec;30(6):755-62. doi: 10.1177/0310057X0203000606. PMID: 12500513.
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  50. Jozwiak M. Alternatives to norepinephrine in septic shock: Which agents and when? J Intensive Med. 2022 Jun 12;2(4):223-232. doi: 10.1016/j.jointm.2022.05.001. PMID: 36788938; PMCID: PMC9924015.
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  51. ProvayBlue® (methylene blue) Injection, USP [package insert]. Shirley, NY: American Regent, Inc.; 12/2021.
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  52. Leyh RG, Kofidis T, Strüber M, Fischer S, Knobloch K, Wachsmann B, Hagl C, Simon AR, Haverich A. Methylene blue: the drug of choice for catecholamine-refractory vasoplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2003 Jun;125(6):1426-31. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5223(02)73284-4. PMID: 12830064.
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  53. Hosseinian L, Weiner M, Levin MA, Fischer GW. Methylene Blue: Magic Bullet for Vasoplegia? Anesth Analg. 2016 Jan;122(1):194-201. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001045. PMID: 26678471.
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  54. Jorge-Monjas P, Bardají-Carrillo M, Lorenzo-López M, Tamayo E. Time Matters When Adding Corticosteroids to Escalating Vasopressors in Septic Shock. Chest. 2023 Jul;164(1):e19-e20. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.03.048. PMID: 37423702.
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  55. Valent P, Groner B, Schumacher U, Superti-Furga G, Busslinger M, Kralovics R, Zielinski C, Penninger JM, Kerjaschki D, Stingl G, Smolen JS, Valenta R, Lassmann H, Kovar H, Jäger U, Kornek G, Müller M, Sörgel F. Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915) and His Contributions to the Foundation and Birth of Translational Medicine. J Innate Immun. 2016;8(2):111-20. doi: 10.1159/000443526. Epub 2016 Feb 5. PMID: 26845587; PMCID: PMC6738855.
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  56. Juffermans NP, Vervloet MG, Daemen-Gubbels CR, Binnekade JM, de Jong M, Groeneveld AB. A dose-finding study of methylene blue to inhibit nitric oxide actions in the hemodynamics of human septic shock. Nitric Oxide. 2010 May 15;22(4):275-80. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2010.01.006. Epub 2010 Jan 28. PMID: 20109575.
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  57. Woehlck HJ, Zundel MT, Iqbal Z, Pagel PS. Hydroxocobalamin as a Rescue Treatment for Refractory Vasoplegic Syndrome After Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Bypass. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2017 Jun;31(3):1012-1014. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2016.08.019. Epub 2016 Aug 18. PMID: 27838199.
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