Methylene blue administration in refractory distributive shock

Abstract

Refractory distributive shock is associated with excessive mortality in critically ill patients. Non-adrenergic vasopressors, including methylene blue, are often considered as an adjuvant therapy to the usual, catecholamine-based vasopressor treatment.

In this narrative review we summarize the current scientific evidence on the use of methylene blue in the treatment of refractory distributive shock in different clinical situations.

Keywords

• methylene blue
• distributive shock
• refractory shock
• vasoplegia
• vascular hyporesponsiveness