Biphasic pressor responses to norepinephrine in humans

We investigated pressor responses to intravenous bolus infusion of norepinephrine in seven healthy volunteers. Norepinephrine (1, 2, and 4 micrograms/kg) elevated blood pressure in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased heart rate. The pressor response to norepinephrine was biphasic (early and late). Intravenous administration of phentolamine (10 mg) completely abolished the pressor response to norepinephrine, and prazosin (5 mg, given orally) inhibited the early and late responses to a same extent. Continuous intravenous infusion of nicardipine (2 micrograms/kg/min) inhibited the late pressor response but not the early one. These data suggest that bolus infusion of norepinephrine evoked the biphasic pressor response and that the late response depends on vasoconstriction by calcium influx through nicardipine-sensitive calcium channels.