Yordanka Lambova, BSN, RRNA 2 Webster University Nurse Anesthesia Program

Objectives Vasoplegic Syndrome Definition Risk Factors Pathophysiology Methylene Blue Pharmacology Application Side Effects Evidence Based Practice

Copyright ©1994 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Gomes W. J. et al.; J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994;107:942-a-943-a “Vasoplegic Syndrome” (VS) --Gomez (1994)—vasodilatory phenomenon refractory to high dose catecholamines in adult cardiac surgery 1,2

Vasoplegic Syndrome Observed in all age groups and clinical settings Sepsis Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) Cardiac surgery Anaphylactic shock Cardiac Surgery Heparin and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists are the only medications considered risk factor for VS 3 Incidence with cardiac surgery is ranging from 0.21 to 13%, up to 50% when patients on RAS antagonists 4 Mortality rate is 16 to 27% 5,6,7

Vasoplegic Syndrome Common Etiology Pathway Endothelial injury and release of vasodilatory inflammatory mediators Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) Arginine-vasopressin system dysfunction and deficiency of vasopressin hormone K ATP channel activation in the plasma membrane Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) activation

Nitric oxide (NO) production from L- arginine is catalyzed by a family of NO synthases (NOS) Endothelial NOS (eNOS) provides a basal release of NO to maintain smooth muscle vascular tone iNOS in heart, lungs, and vascular smooth muscle cells is up regulated by the influence of proinflammatory cytokines and/or endotoxin Large amount of NO is produced Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is released Cyclic guanosine 3’-5’ monophosphate (cGMP) is generated Smooth muscle cell cGMP-mediated vasodilation and decrease myocyte contractility—relaxation of myocardial and vascular smooth muscle L-arginine +3/4 NADPH + H + + 2O 2 = citrulline +nitric oxide +3/2 NADP

What do I reach for with catecholamine nonresponsive hypotension? Persistent hypotension Tachycardia Normal or increased cardiac output Decreased systemic vascular resistance Low filling pressure Poor or no response to fluid resuscitation and vasopressors

Methylene Blue (MB)

Something Old, Something Blue Prepared by Caro in 1876 as a dye for textiles First fully synthetic drug used in medicine 1891 Paul Ehrlich identified the compound as an anti-malarial 1899 positive psychotropic effects observed (Potent, but reversible MAOI) 1933 used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning Beginning of the 20 th century MB used in a wide variety of medical, hygienic, and microbiology compounds

MB: Chemical Properties Heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound Chemical formula C 16 H 18 N 3 SCl Melting temperature 180 degrees Solubility in water 35.5 g/1 pH value—3 (10g/l H 2 O) Solid, odorless, dark green powder at room temperature Blue solution when dissolved in water or alcohol Three molecules of MB per molecule of water

MB: Pharmacokinetics Oral absorption is between 53 to 97% Completely ionized at gastric pH Peak plasma concentration in min Volume of distribution 20 ml/kg Plasma half-life 5-6 hrs Metabolism reduced in peripheral tissues to leucomethylene blue (65-85%) Does not bind to plasma proteins Eliminated in bile, feces, and urine as leucomethylene blue

MB: Dosing in Humans Sepsis 9, mg/kg/10-20 min IV bolus mg/kg/hr for 6hrs IV continuous infusion Anaphylactic shock mg/kg IV bolus Hereditary methemoglobinemia Up to 300mg/day PO Ifosfamide encephalopathy 50 mg three times a day PO 12 Vasodilation with hypotension 5,6 1-2 mg/kg/10-20 min IV bolus VS mg/kg/10-20 min IV bolus mg/kg/hr IV hrs IV continuous infusion Surgery for septic endocarditis 13, Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) 5,11,14 2 mg/kg IV bolus prior to CPB 0.5 mg/kg/hr after bolus for 30 min after CPB

MB: Dose Related Toxicity Human Studies Studies Dose mg/kg Toxic Manifestations 14,15 2-4Hemolytic anemia, skin desquamation in infants 7Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, hemolysis 7.5Hyperpyrexia, confusion 20Hypotension 80Bluish discoloration of skin (similar to cyanosis) Dose mg/kg AnimalToxic Manifestations 5-50Rat 16 Neuronal apoptosis 1250 mg/kg LD Mouse 40Sheep Dog 18 Hypotension, decreased SVR, renal blood flow; pulmonary hypertension

MB: Contraindications Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency- -may precipitate hemolytic anemia Renal impairment— acceptable if on dialysis Intrathecal and subcutaneous injection Hypersensitivity and allergy to MB Dapsone- forms hydroxylamine causing hemolysis FDA recommendation-MB should not be given to patients taking serotonergic drugs. However, there are some conditions that may be life-threatening or require urgent treatment with MB such as methemoglobinemia, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, or cyanide poisoning.

MB: Mechanism of Action in VS Direct inhibitory effect on NOS 19,20 Blocks accumulation of cGMP by inhibiting the enzyme guanylate cyclase 19 Blocks the activity of NO-dependent guanylate cyclase via oxidation of the active haemo center or by inactivation of its haemo center. 19,20 More specific and potent inhibitor of NOS than guanylyl cyclase– NO-donating compounds in the presence of MB can still partially activate c-GMP signaling pathways 21,22 Effects due to NO inhibition MB restores vascular reactivity to endogenous catecholamines in the setting of excessive NO production 23 Not a vasoconstrictor, rather it acts as a liberator of cAMP, thus allowing norepinephrine to exert its vasoconstrictive effect 24

MB: Hepatic Failure Schenk et al (2000) 25 Case Series (n=10) of hepatic cirrhosis and hepatopulmonary syndrome patients Reports improvement of hypoxemia and hyperdynamic circulation evidenced by significant increase in PaO 2, SVR; and decrease in MPAP, PVR, CO MB 3 mg/kg IV over 15 minutes No significant side effects noted Kalambokis (2005) 26 Investigational study (n=20, 10 experimental group, 10 placebo group) on cirrhosis and ascites patients MB 3 mg/kg IV No change in MAP, HR, CO, SVR; plasma renin, aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone, urea, Cr, Na, GFR, Serum NO, and urinary Na decreased 4 hrs, but returned to basal levels in 8 hrs Almeida et al (2007) 27 Case report (n=1) on use of MB in hepatopulmonary syndrome Large right to left intrapulmonary shunt and subsequent improvement of vascular tone and hyperdynamic circulation at the cost of worsening hypoxemia

MB: Renal Failure Peer (2001) 28 Investigational study (n=41, 18 HD/HoTN, 18 HD/no HoTN, 5 healthy controls) MB IV bolus 1 mg/kg followed by infusion of 0.1 mg/kg for 210 minutes until completion of HD, bolus dose only on days without HD Results HD/HoTN—completely prevented HoTN during HD, increased BP on non HD days, blood NO measurements higher than other groups HD/no HoTN—increase of BP during first hour of HD, and 90 minutes on non HD days. Healthy controls—no significant change in BP

MB: Sepsis Daemen-Gubbels et al (1995) 29 Prospective observational (n=9) MB 2 mg/kg/20 min Increase in MAP, MPAP, LVSWI, RVSWI (p<0.01); increase in oxygen delivery and uptake index (p<0.05) Mortality: 89% Kirov et al (2001) 9 Prospective, randomized, placebo controlled study (n=20, 10 MB treatment and 10 placebo isotonic saline) MB 2 mg/kg/20min, 0.25 mg/kg/hr at 2hrs, 0.5 mg/kg/hr at 3hrs, 1 mg/kg/hr at 4 hrs, 2 mg/kg/hr at 5hrs for 1 hr Improvement in hemodynamics and decrease in vasoconstrictors and inotropes (p<0.05) Mortality: 5 patients vs. 7 in placebo group Memmis et al (2002) 30 prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled (n=30, 15 MB and 15 placebo isotonic saline) MB 0.5 mg/kg/hg 6 hrs MB group increase in MAP (p<0.001) Mortality: 27% in both cohorts

MB: Cardiac Surgery Andrade et al.(1996) 31 Cohort (n=6), with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) Criteria—tachycardia, oliguria, refractory hypoperfusion to high dose catecholamine MB 1.5 mg/kg/1 hr Results: restoration of blood pressure; pre-MB vs. post-MB SVR=868 vs dyne/s/cm 5 ; no adverse effect on CO or PVR 2b level of evidence—small cohort, limited data Leyh et al. (2003) 5 Cohort (n=54) out of 1111 cardiac surgery patients in 12 months Criteria –CO 4l/min, SVR<600 dyne/s/cm 5, norepinephrine 0.5 mcg/kg/min MB 2mg/kg/20 min Results (0 hr vs. 1hr vs. 6hrs vs. 12 hrs): MAP 68 vs. 72 vs. 73, (p<0.02) CO 7.6 vs. 6.5 vs. 5.8, (p<0.001) SVR 547 vs. 766 vs. 876, (p<0.001) 4/54 (7.4%) no response to treatment 3/54 (5.6%) mortality rate—2/4 nonresponders) 2b level of evidence—wide range of cardiac surgical procedures, no control group, 76% male patients

MB: Cardiac Surgery Levin et al. (2004) 6 Cohort progressing to PRCT (n=56) out of 638 cardiac surgery patients in 5 months Criteria—MAP<50 mmHg, CVP<5 mmHg, PCWP<10mmHg, CI=2.5 l/min/m 3, SVR<800 dyne/s/cm 5, vasopressor requirement MB 1.5 mg/kg/1 hr vs. placebo Results: MB VS vs. Placebo VS Duration of VS: less than 2 hrs vs. up to 48 hrs (p<0.0007) Vasopressor requirement: at 2 hrs (p<0.002); at 3, 6, 12, 24 hrs postop (p<0.00) Renal failure, respiratory failure, myopathy: 2 vs. 8, (p<0.03) Sepsis and MODS: 0 vs. 7, (p<0.005) Mortality: 0% vs. 21.4%, (p<0.01) 1b level of evidence—small numbers progressing to RCT with patients from 4 centers, questionable random assignment due to uneven distribution of patients in different hospitals (2,9,14, 31)

MB: Cardiac Surgery Ozar et al. (2005) 7 PRCT (n=100), high VS risk patients divided equally in MB and placebo group Criteria—MAP<50 mmHg, CVP<5 mmHg, PCWP<10mmHg, CI=2.5 l/min/m 3, SVR<800 dyne/s/cm 5, norepinephrine requirement 0.5 mcg/kg/min MB 2 mg/kg/30 min 1 hr preoperatively Results: MB vs. Placebo Incidence of VS: 0 vs. 13 (p<0.001) Progress of VS: 6 placebo patients had refractory to norepinephrine VS (p<0.001) 4/6 resolved in up to 8 hours, 2/6 died of MSOF SVR on CBP significantly higher in MB group (p<0.001) Norepinephrine requirement: To keep MAP on CBP >45: 4% vs. 82 % Required NE 0.5 mcg/kg/min (p<0.001) Fluid Requirement on CBP: Crystalloid (p=0.024) Colloid (p=0.027) RBC (p<0.001) Length of stay: ICU: 1.2 vs. 2.1, (p<0.001) Hospital 6.1 vs. 8.4, (p<0.001) 1b level of evidence

Conclusion MB is a novel therapeutic option for patients with VS Despite the abundance of case reports on the use of MB as a rescue drug there are limited number of cohort/RCTs evaluating the use of the drug Further large studies should be performed before MB can be recommended as a first line therapy.

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