title: How is norepinephrine used in intensive care? A field study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess how norepinephrine (NE), an emergency treatment of cardiovascular collapse, is used in intensive care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nurses and physicians of 14 intensive care units of the Bordeaux University Hospital were given questionnaires on the way they say they use NE and on actual NE treatment of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical monitoring parameters cited were blood pressure, heart rate and hourly urine flow. Only 25% of the prescribers indicated the systematic use of hemodynamic monitoring. All the prescribers indicated they adapted the treatment to clinical objectives and blood pressure, and 77.5% to hourly urine flow. Initial NE concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 2 mg/ml, diluted in saline or dextrose. Initial prescribed dose ranged from 0.1 to 1 microg/kg/min. Large differences were observed between services and even within units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data clearly show the need for recommendations regarding the use of norepinephrine.
authors.affiliation: CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France-INSERM U657, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blazejewski
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Rajaa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagnaoui
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winnock
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cochard
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petit
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dosque
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fillatreau
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003422:Critical Care; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011184:Postoperative Period
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D009638:Norepinephrine