Vasopressors and Inotropes - Summary Sheet
1️⃣ Norepinephrine (Levo)
💉 Action: α1 > β1 agonist → ↑↑ SVR, ↑ CO, reflex brady may negate ↑ HR
📌 Uses: Septic shock (1st), Cardiogenic shock (1st), Hypovolemic shock (1st)
2️⃣ Phenylephrine (Neo)
💉 Action: Pure α1 agonist → ↑↑ SVR
📌 Uses: Septic shock with ↑ HR or ↓ BP; AFRVR, HOCM, AS, RV failure
3️⃣ Vasopressin (Vaso)
💉 Action: V1 (↑ SVR), V2 (↑ renal H2O reabsorption)
📌 Uses: Septic shock (2nd line), Anaphylaxis (2nd line), RV failure
4️⃣ Epinephrine (Epi)
💉 Action:
•Low dose: β1 > β2 > α1 → ↑ CO, neutral SVR
•High dose: α1 > β1 > β2 → ↑ CO, ↑ SVR
📌 Uses: ACLS (1st), Anaphylaxis (1st), Symptomatic bradycardia (2nd), Septic shock, Bronchospasm
5️⃣ Dopamine (Dopa)
💉 Action:
•Low: D1 > β1 → ↑ CO, ↑ UOP
•Medium: β1 > D1 → ↑ CO, ↑ SVR
•High: α1 > β1 > D1 → ↑ SVR
📌 Uses: Symptomatic bradycardia, Septic shock with bradycardia (↑ mortality vs. Levo in septic and cardiogenic shock)
6️⃣ Methylene Blue
💉 Action: ↓ NO and cGMP → ↑ smooth muscle tone, ↑ SVR
📌 Uses: Refractory sepsis/anaphylaxis, post-cardiopulmonary bypass, amlodipine overdose, methemoglobinemia
7️⃣ Dobutamine (Dobuta)
💉 Action: β1 > β2 > α1 agonist → ↑ CO, ↓ SVR
📌 Uses: Cardiogenic shock, Add to Levo in septic shock with ↓ LVEF
8️⃣ Milrinone
💉 Action: PDE inhibitor → ↑ cAMP → ↑ inotropy, vasodilation → ↑ CO, ↓ PVR/SVR
📌 Uses: Cardiogenic shock, RV failure (↓ PVR, ↓ LVEDV)
9️⃣ Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
💉 Action: β1 = β2 agonist → ↑ HR, ↓ SVR
📌 Uses: Symptomatic bradycardia, Mg-refractory