Methylene Blue Improves the Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

TO THE EDITOR:

The article by Schenk and colleagues (1) on using methylene blue for treatment of the hepatopulmonary syndrome extends a previously published case report (2) and provides some interesting insights. However, the study had various limitations, such as a short follow-up period and missing data on patients' outcomes. It is reported that methylene blue normalized Pao ₂ in five of seven patients, but the period of normalization is not stated. Apart from providing details of follow-up, data should have been given on renal and hepatic function, as pointed out by Fallon (3). A central question is whether …