• stimulates vascular vasopressin V₁ receptors to cause vasoconstriction; tends to not cause hypertension in normotensive patients
• stimulates vasopressin V₂ receptors in the renal tubules to cause fluid retention and prevent fluid loss
• no alpha or beta adrenergic receptor activity thus may be effective in vasodilatory shock unresponsive to catecholamines or in the presence of acidosis/hypoxia, and will enhance myocardial oxygen delivery without an increase in consumption

• pulseless cardiac arrest:  40 units IV X 1 (no benefit in VT/VF but may be useful in PEA arrest)
• septic shock:  0.03-0.04 units/min (2-2.4 u/hr). Do not titrate, run at fixed dose.
• organ donor management :  0.03-0.04 units/min (2-2.4 u/hr). Do not titrate, run at fixed dose.

• hypovolemia, hypoxemia and acidosis should be corrected concurrently with initiation of therapy
• should be weaned off 

• GI ischemia
• coronary ischemia
• fluid retention
• sweating
• tremor
• abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, eructation, diarrhea
• bradycardia
• arrhythmias
• decreased cardiac output

• vasopressin + ganglionic blocking agents = increased vasopressin pressor effect
• vasopressin + lithium = decreased antidiuretic activity
• vasopressin + carbamazepine = increased antidiuretic activity

BP 

HR, ECG

urine output, BUN, creatinine 

cardiac index 

SVRI 

arterial lactate 

PWP 

changes in skin colour or temperature 

chest pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain  

• May be administered by IV infusion by an approved nurse in CCTC.
• Must be administered via a central line.
• Continuous infusion must be administered via an infusion pump. 
• Should not be infused via the proximal injectate port (blue) of the Swan Ganz catheter. 
• Patient requires placement of an arterial line to monitor BP.