What is a vasopressor drug?

Vasopressors are a powerful class of drugs that induce vasoconstriction and thereby elevate mean arterial pressure (MAP). Vasopressors differ from inotropes, which increase cardiac contractility; however, many drugs have both vasopressor and inotropic effects.

What are vasopressors examples?

Common Vasopressors

Norepinephrine.
Epinephrine.
Vasopressin (Vasostrict)
Dopamine.
Phenylephrine.
Dobutamine.

When do we use vasopressor?

Vasopressors, such as norepinephrine, are frequently used in patients with septic shock to improve SVR, whereas inotropes are often used in patients with cardiogenic shock to improve cardiac contractility and CO.

What are pressers?

Pressor: Causing a rise in blood pressure. A pressor base is a substance (chemically classified as a base) capable of raising the blood pressure. A pressor nerve is a nerve that, when stimulated, increases the blood pressure.

How do vasopressor drugs work?

Vasopressors increase vasoconstriction, which leads to increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Increasing the SVR leads to increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increased perfusion to organs.

What are Pressors used for?

Vasopressors are medicines that constrict (narrow) blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. They are used in the treatment of extremely low blood pressure, especially in critically ill patients.

Which vasopressor is best?

In theory, norepinephrine is the ideal vasopressor in the setting of warm shock, wherein peripheral vasodilation exists in association with normal or increased cardiac output.

Which vasopressor should I use?

Vasopressors should be begun initially to target a mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg (Grade 1C). Norepinephrine (Levophed) should be provided as the first-line vasopressor (Grade 1B). Epinephrine is considered the next-line agent for septic shock after norepinephrine in the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines.

What does negative inotropic effect mean?

Negative inotropes weaken the heart’s contractions and slow the heart rate. These medicines are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chronic heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and chest pain (angina).