Influence of the Catecholamine Syringe Changeover Method on Patients' Blood Pressure Variability: A Single-Center...

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Hemodynamics

Background:

• Limited evidence exists on catecholamine syringe exchange methods in Japan.
• Practices for catecholamine administration vary across healthcare facilities.
• Blood pressure variability is a critical concern in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of different catecholamine syringe exchange methods on blood pressure variability.
• To compare the double-pumping changeover (DPC) and quick syringe changeover (QC) methods.
• To identify factors influencing blood pressure variability during catecholamine administration in ICU patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 119 ICU patients undergoing 308 catecholamine syringe exchanges.
• Propensity score matching to compare DPC and QC groups.
• Sub-analysis of patients with severe shock (systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg).
• Logistic regression to identify risk factors for blood pressure variability.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in blood pressure variability (coefficient of variation, absolute pressures) were observed between DPC and QC methods.
• Age was identified as the sole significant risk factor for increased blood pressure variability (OR: 1.018).
• Catecholamine syringe exchange methods did not significantly contribute to circulating blood pressure variability (OR: 1.186).

Conclusions:

• The choice between DPC and QC methods for catecholamine syringe exchange does not significantly affect blood pressure variability.
• Older adult patients may be more susceptible to blood pressure fluctuations during catecholamine syringe exchange.
• Further research may be needed to optimize catecholamine administration protocols for vulnerable patient populations.