Saturday April 3, 2010


Case: In ACLS, dose for Vasopressin is 40 units IV x1. In desperate situations how quickly you can repeat it?


Answer: Though it is recommended every 20 minutes but in desperate situation you may use in 10 minutes.

Vasopressin is an adrenergic alternative to epinephrine, for promoting the return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. Vasopressin, a naturally occurring antidiuretic hormone, has powerful vasoconstrictor effects when used at doses much higher than normally found in the body. Its positive effects duplicate those of epinephrine, but with fewer or less-severe adverse effects. Vasopressin is administered intravenously as a one-time dose of 40 units. Compare its 10- to 20-minute half-life with the 3- to 5-minute half-life of epinephrine, and you'll see another reason why vasopressin is now finding favor in resuscitation efforts. However, if the patient doesn't respond to vasopressin, you can use epinephrine.


See this nice review: VASOPRESSIN AND SHOCK (Dr. Paul Forrest)