Vasoplegic syndrome

Vasoplegic syndrome or vasoplegia syndrome (VPS) is a postperfusion syndrome characterized by low systemic vascular resistance and a high cardiac output.

VPS occurs more frequently after on pump CABG surgery versus off pump CABG surgery.

[1] Hypothermia during surgery may also increase ones risk of developing VPS post operatively.

[2] Vasoplegic syndrome is defined as low systemic vascular resistance (SVR index <1,600 dyn∙sec/cm5/m2) and high cardiac output (cardiac index >2.5 L/min/m2) within the first 4 postoperative hours.

[3] There is some evidence to support the use of methylene blue in the treatment of this condition.

Gross pathology of a normal brain and a brain of a patient treated with methylene blue before death in a case of vasoplegic syndrome.