Medications Alpha Beta1 Beta2 Dopamine V1 V2
Norepinephrine ++++ ++
Epinephrine + +++ ++
Phenylephrine ++++
Dopamine 1-5 + ++++
Dopamine 5-10 + ++ +++
Dopamine 10-20 +++ ++ +
Vasopressin ++++ ++++
Dobutamine + ++++ ++
Isoproterenol ++++ ++++
General guidelines for different forms of shock
Septic shock
- Norepinephrine is the first line pressor
- Vasopressin can decrease norepinephrine requirements and may decrease the need for renal replacement therapy and frequently used as a second line vasopressor
- Epinephrine is a third-line vasopressor
- The new Angiotensin II (Giapreza) is now FDA-approved as an adjunctive vasopressor for septic shock and decreases the norepinephrine requirements but may increase the risk for DVT.
Spinal shock
- Responds well to both norepinephrine or phenylephrine
Cardiogenic shock
- Wet/cold
- Diuresis
- Norepinephrine if tachycardic
- Dopamine if bradycardic
- Once euvolemic can convert to dobutamine
- Dry/cold
- Small fluid boluses
- May benefit from dobutamine once euvolemic
- Wet/warm
- Diuresis
- May benefit from dobutamine