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Inotropes and Vasopressors in the CT ICU: Getting the Mixture Right

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Difficult Decisions in Cardiothoracic Critical Care Surgery

Part of the book series: Difficult Decisions in Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach ((DDSURGERY))

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Abstract

Following cardiac surgery many patients require hemodynamic assistance with inotropic or vasoconstrictive support. The most commonly used inotropes are catecholamines, but phosphodiesterase inhibitors or calcium sensitizers have been shown to be effective and indicated in specific patients. For patients with postoperative vasoplegic shock, catecholamines function as vasopressors to increase systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure. In catecholamine resistant shock, vasopressin may be utilized. In severe, life-threatening shock, methylene blue has shown efficacy in improving hemodynamics and decreasing need for vasoconstrictors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Allison Dalton

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  1. Allison Dalton
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Correspondence to Allison Dalton .

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  1. University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Vassyl A. Lonchyna

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Dalton, A. (2019). Inotropes and Vasopressors in the CT ICU: Getting the Mixture Right. In: Lonchyna, V. (eds) Difficult Decisions in Cardiothoracic Critical Care Surgery. Difficult Decisions in Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04146-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04146-5_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-04145-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-04146-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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