Emergency Medical Minute

Contributor: Travis Barlock MD Educational Pearls: Three categories of pressors: inopressors, pure vasoconstrictors, and inodilators Inopressors:  Epinephrine - nonselective beta- and alpha-adrenergic agonism, leading to increased cardiac contractility, chronotropy (increased heart rate), and peripheral vasoconstriction. Dose 0.1mcg/kg/min. Levophed (norepinephrine) - more vasoconstriction peripherally than inotropy; useful in most cases of shock. Dose 0.1mcg/kg/min. Peripheral vasoconstrictors: Phenylephrine - pure alpha agonist; useful in atrial fibrillation because it avoids cardiac beta receptor activation and also in post-intubation hypotension to counteract the RSI medications. Start at 1mcg/kg/min and increase as needed. Vasopressin - No effect on cardiac contractility. Fixed dose of 0.4 units/min. Inodilators are useful in cardiogenic shock but often not started in the ED since patients mostly have undifferentiated shock Dobutamine - start at 2.5mcg/kg/min. Milrinone - 0.125mc