Vasopressin in ACLS

Some quick notes for the use of vasopressin in the use of ACLS. Vasopressin is one of drugs that actually has a name that makes some sense in that it is a vasopressor. Vasopressin is unique from epinephrine. Epinephrine uses the adreneric receptor and vasopressin uses a different receptor. Vasopressin can be used in VF and pulseless VT as a one time only dose of 40 units IV. Vasopressin is a potent vasoconstrictor and it does not increase oxygen consumption by the heart. It cannot be used in repeated dose like epinephrine. Vasopressin is effective even when the patient is acidotic. Remember for VT/VF epinephrine should be repeated at a dose of 1 mg every 3 to 5 minutes.

(keywords: vasopressin, ACLS, EMS, emergency, EMT, paramedic, prehospital pharmacology, PHTLS)