Methylene Blue for the Treatment of Septic Shock

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age 18 years old or older;

2. diagnosis of septic shock within 12 h.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. recent intake (4-weeks) of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors;

2. pregnant;

3. definitive pulmonary hypertension or chronic pulmonary heart disease;

4. known glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency;

5. known allergy to methylene blue, phenothiazines, or food dyes;

6. anticipated death from a preexisting disease within 90 days after randomization (asdetermined by the enrolling physician);

7. refusal of the attending staff or patient family;

8. participated in other study.