Effects of Low Dose Vasopressin in Catecholamine Resistant Septic Shock

Septic shock commonly leads to death in critically ill patients. Severe hypotension resistant to conventional catecholamine leads to multiorgan failure. We studied the effectiveness of low dose vasopressin in resistant septic shock.

Thirty critically ill patients with catecholamine resistant hypotension were included in the study. After adequate fluid resuscitation, infusion of norepinephrine and dobutamine was started. If the patient remained hypotensive, vasopressin was infused at a fixed rate of 0.04 unit/minute for 24 hours. Haemodynamic parameters and mortality rates were recorded.

There was a significant improvement in systolic and mean arterial pressure within four hours of starting vasopressin. This improvement continued throughout the 24-hour period. In addition, it was possible to withdraw dopamine in all the patients and significantly reduce infusion rates of dobutamine and norepinephrine. No significant complication was noted.

Low dose vasopressin at the rate of 0.04 unit/minute is an effective vasopressor in adult patients with catecholamine resistant septic shock.