MICU intern's survival guide vasopressors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Norepinephrine
- Mechanism of action - Acts on both alpha1 (vasoconstriction of blood vessels) and beta1 receptors (increases cardiac output).
- Indication:
- Septic shock
- Cardiogenic shock - Recent studies have shown that norepinephrine may be better than dobutamine in cardiogenic shock as there are less risks for tachyarrhythmias.
- In cases where the type of shock is unclear norepinephrine can be tried as first line agent.