Antihypotensive
A vasopressor is a drug or other agent which causes the constriction of blood vessels to increase systemic vascular resistance. This is different from inotopes which increase the force of contraction of heart muscle. Some substances do both (e.g. dopamine, dobutamine) .
If low blood pressure is due to blood loss, then preparations increasing volume of blood circulation—plasma-substituting solutions such as colloid and crystalloid solutions (salt solutions)[1]—will raise the blood pressure without any direct vasopressor activity. Packed red blood cells, plasma or whole blood should not be used solely for volume expansion or to increase oncotic pressure of circulating blood.[medical citation needed] Blood products should only be used if reduced oxygen carrying capacity or coagulopathy is present.[medical citation needed] Other causes of either absolute (dehydration, loss of plasma via wound/burns) or relative (third space losses) vascular volume depletion also respond, although blood products are only indicated if significantly anemic.
Classification
[edit]Antihypotensive agents can be classified as follows:[citation needed]
- Sympathomimetics
- Vasopressin
- Angiotensinamide
- S-alkylisothiouronium derivatives
- Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
- Positive inotropic agents
References
[edit]- ^ "Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital". NICE. May 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2018.