Peri-Intubation Push-Dose Vasopressors in Critical Care Transport

Push-dose vasopressors are commonly administered to attenuate peri-intubation hypotension. The aim of this study was to describe the current use of push-dose vasopressors in critical care transport.

This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥ 18 years) intubated between January 2017 and May 2023 who received push-dose vasopressors. The outcomes were incidence of push-dose vasopressor administration and the frequency of initiation or an increase in continuous vasopressor infusion.

Of the 334 patients intubated during this period, 49 (14.7%) received push-dose vasopressors in the peri-intubation period. The mean preintubation shock index was 1.1 ± 0.5. Of those who received push-dose vasopressors, 34 (69.4%) received multiple push doses; the mean number of administrations was 2.5 ± 1.9. Most patients had persistent or recurrent hypotension (n = 39, 79.6%). Fifteen (30.6%) were started on a continuous vasopressor infusion, and 3 (11.1%) had an increase in an existing infusion postintubation.

Although push-dose vasopressors are convenient and appropriate in many settings, they inadequately address hypotension in critically ill patients with underlying shock. Further investigation is required to better elucidate the role of peri-intubation push-dose and continuous vasopressors in the critical care transport setting.