Vasopressor agents: old and new components.
OBJECTIVE
In settings of cardiac arrest, reestablishing vital organ perfusion plays an important role in initial CPR. As a pharmacologic intervention, vasopressor agents aim to improve aortic diastolic pressure and, consequently, coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures.


RESULTS
Historically, adrenergic agonists such as epinephrine have been suggested for routine use in CPR. However, epinephrine's efficacy is controversial because of its unfavorable inotropic and chronotropic action. This has prompted research into the use of alternative pressor agents with more promising hemodynamic features; these include selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonists and other nonadrenergic vasoconstrictors such as vasopressin.


CONCLUSIONS
In this article, the main traditional and novel adrenergic and nonadrenergic vasopressor drugs are reviewed.
Huang
Lei
L
The Institute of Critical Care Medicine, Palm Springs, California 92262, USA.
Tang
Wanchun
W
D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents