Current opinion in anaesthesiology
-
There is growing evidence that in end-stage shock or during cardiac arrest, inappropriately low endogenous vasopressin plasma levels may be responsible for pathologic vasodilatation, inadequate organ perfusion, and poor outcome. The purpose of this article is to review recent publications featuring arginine vasopressin as a potent vasoconstrictor in various shock states such as systemic vasodilatation, severe hypovolemia, or cardiac arrest. ⋯ Vasopressin administration is emerging as a rational and promising therapy in the management of various shock states and cardiac arrest.