OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of methylene blue infusion on on-pump coronary artery bypass patients in relation to hemodynamic, laboratorial and systemic inflammatory response. METHOD: Sixty patients were randomized in two groups. Methylene blue was infused in one group. Blood samples were collected before the anesthesia and, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours after the end of the extracoporeal circulation to determine the IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, TNFa and nitric oxide levels and perform gasometry and other routine tests. RESULTS: In the methylene group we observed at different stages, higher systemic vascular resistance, lower TNFa concentrations, fewer leukocytes and neutrophils as well as lower level of nitric oxide. No adverse effects were evidenced. CONCLUSIONS: Methylene blue infusion showed less tendency of systemic inflammatory responses, lower levels of nitric oxide and a better hemodynamic performance.
Myocardial revascularization; Cytokines; Nitric oxide; Methylene blue
