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Department of Anesthesiology, amaslow{at}rcn.com (Maslow, Schwartz) Department of Perfusion Therapy (Stearns) Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence Rhode Island (Batula)
In Response:
We thank Drs. Valchanov and Falter (1) for their interest the timing of methylene blue administration as discussed in our manuscript (2). Three studies have evaluated the benefits of methylene blue in cardiac surgical patients. Two studies examined methylene blue administration after the diagnosis of vasoplegia was made (3, 4). One study administered methylene prophylactically (5). This latter study documented less inotropic support, less fluid administration, fewer blood transfusions, and shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays as well as a 0% incidence of vasoplegia in patients receiving methylene blue compared with 26% incidence in the control group (5). In our investigation we sought any benefits immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass to determine if a beneficial effect could still be seen (2). Consistent with these other studies we demonstrated hemodynamic and metabolic benefits. Together these studies demonstrate the benefit of methylene blue administration prior to, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass.
REFERENCES
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