Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study

Abstract Purpose Septic shock is a common threat, and is the primary cause of death in almost all critical care units. Mortality of septic shock remains exceedingly high. The early use of methylene blue (MB) in different doses as adjunctive to vasopressors has promising results. Methods This double-...

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Main Authors: Ehab Hanafy Shaker, Ahmed Mohamed Soliman, Ahmed Abd Elmohsen Bedewy, Mai Mohamed Elrawas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Anesthesiology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-024-02792-3
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author Ehab Hanafy Shaker
Ahmed Mohamed Soliman
Ahmed Abd Elmohsen Bedewy
Mai Mohamed Elrawas
author_facet Ehab Hanafy Shaker
Ahmed Mohamed Soliman
Ahmed Abd Elmohsen Bedewy
Mai Mohamed Elrawas
author_sort Ehab Hanafy Shaker
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Septic shock is a common threat, and is the primary cause of death in almost all critical care units. Mortality of septic shock remains exceedingly high. The early use of methylene blue (MB) in different doses as adjunctive to vasopressors has promising results. Methods This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comprised 90 patients divided into 3 groups: Group A received a 100 ml 0.9% NaCl placebo over 20 min; Group B received an MB bolus of 1 mg/kg in 100 ml 0.9% NaCl, and Group C received MB bolus of 4 mg/kg in 100 ml 0.9% NaCl during the same period. Groups B and C were given a 0.25 mg/kg/hour infusion of MB for 72 h after the bolus dose. All patients were started on noradrenaline at an infusion rate of 0.1–0.2 µ/kg/min and were adjusted accordingly to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg. Time of vasopressor discontinuation was the primary outcome while total doses of vasopressors, ventilation days, vasopressors free days, total ICU stay, total hospital stay, and mortality rate were the secondary outcomes. Results Groups B and C exhibited significantly decreased time to vasopressor termination, and vasopressor-free days at 28 days in comparison to Group A. However, there was no significant difference between Groups B and C. Groups B and C had significantly lower noradrenaline dosages compared to Group A, however, no significant difference between Group B and Group C was found. The difference between the three groups in mortality rate was near statistical significance (p = 0.083). Using the logistic regression model, the 4 mg/kg group was protective against mortality with a hazard ratio of 0.29 (95%CI: 0.09–0.90). Conclusion In cancer patients with septic shock, early adjunctive MB delivery reduces the time to a vasopressor stoppage and increases the vasopressor-free days. No significant difference between high and low MB bolus doses, and no significant adverse effects were noted. Compared to placebo, the 4 mg/kg bolus dose shows a survival advantage. Trial registration Prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov [NCT 06005558]. (Date of registration 15/08/2023).
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spelling doaj-art-9d669aa66ee74d64960cf14f09a4527c2025-01-12T12:37:04ZengBMCBMC Anesthesiology1471-22532025-01-0125111010.1186/s12871-024-02792-3Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled studyEhab Hanafy Shaker0Ahmed Mohamed Soliman1Ahmed Abd Elmohsen Bedewy2Mai Mohamed Elrawas3Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive care and Pain management, National Cancer Institute, Cairo UniversityDepartment of Anaesthesia, Intensive care and Pain management, National Cancer Institute, Cairo UniversityDepartment of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan UniversityDepartment of Anaesthesia, Intensive care and Pain management, National Cancer Institute, Cairo UniversityAbstract Purpose Septic shock is a common threat, and is the primary cause of death in almost all critical care units. Mortality of septic shock remains exceedingly high. The early use of methylene blue (MB) in different doses as adjunctive to vasopressors has promising results. Methods This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comprised 90 patients divided into 3 groups: Group A received a 100 ml 0.9% NaCl placebo over 20 min; Group B received an MB bolus of 1 mg/kg in 100 ml 0.9% NaCl, and Group C received MB bolus of 4 mg/kg in 100 ml 0.9% NaCl during the same period. Groups B and C were given a 0.25 mg/kg/hour infusion of MB for 72 h after the bolus dose. All patients were started on noradrenaline at an infusion rate of 0.1–0.2 µ/kg/min and were adjusted accordingly to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg. Time of vasopressor discontinuation was the primary outcome while total doses of vasopressors, ventilation days, vasopressors free days, total ICU stay, total hospital stay, and mortality rate were the secondary outcomes. Results Groups B and C exhibited significantly decreased time to vasopressor termination, and vasopressor-free days at 28 days in comparison to Group A. However, there was no significant difference between Groups B and C. Groups B and C had significantly lower noradrenaline dosages compared to Group A, however, no significant difference between Group B and Group C was found. The difference between the three groups in mortality rate was near statistical significance (p = 0.083). Using the logistic regression model, the 4 mg/kg group was protective against mortality with a hazard ratio of 0.29 (95%CI: 0.09–0.90). Conclusion In cancer patients with septic shock, early adjunctive MB delivery reduces the time to a vasopressor stoppage and increases the vasopressor-free days. No significant difference between high and low MB bolus doses, and no significant adverse effects were noted. Compared to placebo, the 4 mg/kg bolus dose shows a survival advantage. Trial registration Prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov [NCT 06005558]. (Date of registration 15/08/2023).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-024-02792-3Septic shockMethylene blueCancerNoradrenaline
spellingShingle Ehab Hanafy Shaker
Ahmed Mohamed Soliman
Ahmed Abd Elmohsen Bedewy
Mai Mohamed Elrawas
Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
BMC Anesthesiology
Septic shock
Methylene blue
Cancer
Noradrenaline
title Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
title_full Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
title_fullStr Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
title_full_unstemmed Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
title_short Comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients: a randomized, blinded, controlled study
title_sort comparative study between high and low dose methylene blue infusion in septic cancer patients a randomized blinded controlled study
topic Septic shock
Methylene blue
Cancer
Noradrenaline
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-024-02792-3
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