Question

A patient is receiving vasoactive medications in the treatment of shock.

1. What is Dobutamine, why is given and when would it be given?

2. What is Dopamine, why is it given and when would it be given?

3. What is Epinephrine, why is it given and when would it be given?

4. Why should these medications never be stopped abruptly? And what are the important assessment strategies when administering vasoactive medications?

Answer 1

Ans) 1) Dobutamine is used to treat acute but potentially reversible heart failure, such as which occurs during cardiac surgery or in cases of septic or cardiogenic shock, on the basis of its positive inotropic action. Dobutamine can be used in cases of congestive heart failure to increase cardiac output.
Onset of action: Within 2 min

2) Dopamine works by improving the pumping strength of the heart and improves blood flow to the kidneys. Dopamine is used to treat certain conditions that occur when you are in shock, which may be caused by heart attack, trauma, surgery, heart failure, kidney failure, and other serious medical conditions

3) Epinephrine is used in emergencies to treat very serious allergic reactions to insect stings/bites, foods, drugs, or other substances. Epinephrine acts quickly to improve breathing, stimulate the heart, raise a dropping blood pressure, reverse hives, and reduce swelling of the face, lips, and throat.

4) Critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability refractory to intravenous fluids typically require vasoactive medications. Among these, vasopressors are used to improve SVR and blood pressure. Examples of vasopressors include phenylephrine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and vasopressin.

- Due to its short half-life, or how long it takes for the medication to leave your system, suddenly stopping and not slowly weaning venlafaxine may lead to horrible withdrawal symptoms. Abrupt discontinuation may cause agitation, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, restlessness, and tremors.

- The endothelium releases a variety of factors which can affect vascular tone. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor or nitric oxide is a very potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet function. Its release has been demonstrated in a variety of human blood vessels..