Arginine vasopressin in septic shock: supplement or substitute for norepinephrine?

作者：Rehberg Sebastian^*; Enkhbaatar Perenlei; Traber Daniel L

来源：Critical Care, 2009, 13(4): 178.

DOI：10.1186/cc7985

In the current issue of Critical Care, Simon and coworkers investigated the effects of first-line arginine vasopressin (AVP) on organ function and systemic metabolism compared with norepinephrine in a pig model of fecal peritonitis. AVP was titrated according to the mean arterial pressure suggesting a vasopressor rather than a hormone replacement therapy. The study provides some evidence for the safety of this therapeutic approach. It needs to be determined whether AVP is most beneficial as a constant low-dose infusion to supplement norepinephrine or in higher doses than currently recommended to substitute norepinephrine. In addition, future studies are warranted to evaluate whether a first-line therapy of AVP is superior to a last-resort administration.

• 出版日期2009