title: Continuous terlipressin versus vasopressin infusion in septic shock (TERLIVAP): a randomized, controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent clinical data suggest that early administration of vasopressin analogues may be advantageous compared to a last resort therapy. However, it is still unknown whether vasopressin and terlipressin are equally effective for hemodynamic support in septic shock. The aim of the present prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial study was, therefore, to compare the impact of continuous infusions of either vasopressin or terlipressin, when given as first-line therapy in septic shock patients, on open-label norepinephrine requirements.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled septic shock patients (n = 45) with a mean arterial pressure below 65 mmHg despite adequate volume resuscitation. Patients were randomized to receive continuous infusions of either terlipressin (1.3 microg.kg-1.h-1), vasopressin (.03 U.min-1) or norepinephrine (15 microg.min-1; n = 15 per group). In all groups, open-label norepinephrine was added to achieve a mean arterial pressure between 65 and 75 mmHg, if necessary. Data from right heart and thermo-dye dilution catheterization, gastric tonometry, as well as laboratory variables of organ function were obtained at baseline, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after randomization. Differences within and between groups were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements with group and time as factors. Time-independent variables were compared with one-way ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences among groups in terms of systemic and regional hemodynamics. Compared with infusion of .03 U of vasopressin or 15 microg.min-1 of norepinephrine, 1.3 microg.kg-1.h-1 of terlipressin allowed a marked reduction in catecholamine requirements (0.8 +/- 1.3 and 1.2 +/- 1.4 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.4 microg.kg-1.min-1 at 48 hours; each P < 0.05) and was associated with less rebound hypotension (P < 0.05). At the end of the 48-hour intervention period, bilirubin concentrations were higher in the vasopressin and norepinephrine groups as compared with the terlipressin group (2.3 +/- 2.8 and 2.8 +/- 2.5 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.3 mg.dL-1; each P < 0.05). A time-dependent decrease in platelet count was only observed in the terlipressin group (P < 0.001 48 hours vs. BL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides evidence that continuous infusion of low-dose terlipressin--when given as first-line vasopressor agent in septic shock--is effective in reversing sepsis-induced arterial hypotension and in reducing norepinephrine requirements.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy. andrea.morelli@uniroma1.it
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Morelli
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Ertmer
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Rehberg
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Lange
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Orecchioni
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Cecchini
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Bachetoni
authors: Mariadomenica
authors: M
authors: D'Alessandro
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Van Aken
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Pietropaoli
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Westphal
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000368:Aged; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008236:Lypressin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077585:Terlipressin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014667:Vasopressins; D004280:Dobutamine; D008236:Lypressin; D000077585:Terlipressin; D010100:Oxygen; D009638:Norepinephrine