inotropes

Welcome back to Part II of the series on vasopressors. Part I discussed basic guidelines for pressor use, in addition to specific literature regarding “inopressors” (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dobutamine). Part II will discuss “pure inotropes” (dobutamine and milrinone) and “pure vasopressors” (vasopressin and phenylephrine).

We use vasopressor agents almost daily in the ED, but what’s the evidence behind these medications? Can we fine-tune our utilization of pressor agents? This is the first of a two part series evaluating pressor agents in shock.