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Methylene Blue in Early Septic Shock

Early Use of Methylene Blue in Patients With Septic Shock: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04446871
Acronym
SHOCKEM-Blue
Enrollment
91
Registered
2020-06-25
Start date
2017-03-17
Completion date
2021-01-25
Last updated
2022-11-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Septic Shock

Keywords

Septic shock, Methylene blue, Norepinephrine

Brief summary

Septic shock is a subset of sepsis characterized by a decrease in vascular tone, which contributes to impaired regional blood flow distribution, and leads to organic failure. Besides intravenous fluids and adequate antimicrobial therapy, patients with septic shock require vasopressor support, which can lead to many adverse effects, therefore, non-vasopressor agents that can improve hemodynamic status are needed. In this randomized controlled-study, the investigators will address the efficacy and safety of infusion with methylene blue in patients with septic shock.

Detailed description

Unlike sepsis, septic shock mortality is not declining for the last decade, and is still around 40%. After restoring intravascular volume, many patients need vasopressor agents to maintain arterial blood pressure, which leads to improvement of perfusion at some vascular beds, however some organs may suffer from maldistribution of blood flow. These changes of regional blood flow may compromise oxygen delivery and perpetuate the inflammation and tissue damage associated with the state of shock. One of the main mechanisms of vasodilation after inflammatory insults, is the activation of the inducible isoform of Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), and the subsequent increase in the levels of nitric oxide, which even reduces the response to vasoconstrictor agents. Methylene blue (MB) is a selective inhibitor of iNOS, which has been used successfully in patients with post-cardiopulmonary bypass associated vasoplegia, however, the evidence of the use of MB in septic shock patients is limited to case reports, observational and small studies. In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators will compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of repeated doses of MB in patients with septic shock.

Interventions

DRUG0.9% sodium chloride

Intravenous infusion of 500 cc of 0.9% sodium chloride solution for 6 h, once a day for a total of 3 doses.

DRUGMethylene Blue

Intravenous infusion of 100 mg methylene blue in 500 cc of 0.9% sodium chloride solution for 6 h, once a day for a total of 3 doses.

Sponsors

Hospital Civil de Guadalajara
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Septic shock diagnosis, according to the Sepsis-3 consensus. * Prior adequate fluid resuscitation according to dynamic predictors of volume responsiveness. * More than 6 h and less than 24 h of norepinephrine requirement to maintain a mean arterial pressure ≥65 mmHg.

Exclusion criteria

* Age \< 18 years. * Pregnancy. * Not expected to survive 48 hours. * Presence or high suspicion of concurrent hemorrhagic, obstructive or hypovolemic shock. * Personal or familiar history of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. * Allergic to methylene blue, phenothiazines, or food dyes. * Recent intake (4-weeks) of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. * Refusal of the patient or decision maker to enroll in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Vasopressor requirement28 daysTotal time to shock resolution (hours)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time to lactate normalization7 daysTime in hours until lactate is \<2 mmol/L
Length of stay in intensive care unit28 daysTime in days until ICU discharge
Intensive care unit mortality28 daysMortality in intensive care unit

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in pulmonary function after treatment7 daysChange in P/F index after three doses of methylene blue

Countries

Mexico

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026