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What are Vasopressors?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Vasopressors are compounds that cause the blood vessels to constrict, which, in turn, causes blood pressure to rise. A number of compounds can have this effect, ranging from pharmaceuticals that are used on patients in certain situations to recreational drugs that have a vasoconstrictive effect. Such compounds need to be used carefully, because they can cause blood pressure to rise dangerously high, putting someone at risk of medical complications.

In the world of medicine, vasopressors can be tremendously useful. These compounds are used to manage patients in shock, to address dangerous drops in blood pressure, and to manage patients in the operating room. In the operating room, they are typically administered by the anesthesiologist, as this member of the surgical team is responsible for keeping the patient as stable as possible. Anesthesiologists receive highly specialized training in the kinds of drugs they can administer to patients and the situations in which the need for such drugs might arise.

A rise in blood pressure is one of the effects of taking a vasopressor.
A rise in blood pressure is one of the effects of taking a vasopressor.

Vasopressors can also be used with compounds known as inotropes. Inotropes are compounds that influence muscle contraction, with some causing muscles to contract, while others force muscles to relax. In medicine, those that stimulate contraction of the heart muscle are used to increase the force of cardiac contractions so that a patient's blood pressure will rise. Managing blood pressure can be especially important in the operating room, as the surgeon does not want the patient to die during the procedure as the body struggles to cope with the tremendous physical toll caused by surgery.

The anesthesiologist typically administers vasopressors during surgery to keep a patient stable.
The anesthesiologist typically administers vasopressors during surgery to keep a patient stable.

These drugs must be administered with care. In a hospital setting, dosages are carefully calculated for a given patient, taking into account the specific medication being used. The medical professional thinks about how long the medication acts on the body, the recommended dosages, and the desired effect. Anesthesiologists need to be very skilled at math and at thinking on the fly so that they can be ready to intervene in any number of emergencies that can come up while a patient is under general anesthesia on the operating table.

Some vasopressors are natural, such as the caffeine in coffee.
Some vasopressors are natural, such as the caffeine in coffee.

Outside of medicine, a wide variety of things act as vasopressors. Caffeine, for example, is well known for being a vasoconstrictor. The body also makes its own, in the form of things like epinephrine. These compounds in the body act on the autonomic nervous system, just like compounds that are introduced to the body, and many play a role in the “fight or flight” response to stress.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

musicshaman

Can anybody tell me more about how inotropes and vasopressors work together?

I've got a paper on the circulatory system coming up due, and need some basic information.

Thanks!

Charlie89

Vasopressors are also commonly used in cases of hemodynamic shock.

For instance, in the case of heart failure and hypotension, vasopressors can have a very positive effect.

In these situations, the vasopressors are given in conjunction with inotropes, particularly, dobutamine in heart failure.

pharmchick78

Another situation in which vasopressors are often used is septic shock.

Using vasopressors in septic shock, even at very low dosages, has been shown to have serious effects, since the patient's body is particularly sensitive to vasopressors drugs while in septic shock.

This can be very helpful in maintaining arterial pressure, particularly in those patients who still show signs of hypotension after fluid resuscitation.

However, since the body is so sensitive to vasopressors while in septic shock, it is critical to maintain an appropriate dosage, as an overdose can cause a drastic raise in blood pressure.

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    • A rise in blood pressure is one of the effects of taking a vasopressor.
      By: Robert Kneschke
      A rise in blood pressure is one of the effects of taking a vasopressor.
    • The anesthesiologist typically administers vasopressors during surgery to keep a patient stable.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      The anesthesiologist typically administers vasopressors during surgery to keep a patient stable.
    • Some vasopressors are natural, such as the caffeine in coffee.
      By: amenic181
      Some vasopressors are natural, such as the caffeine in coffee.
    • Vasopressors must be administered with care.
      By: evok20
      Vasopressors must be administered with care.
    • In an operating room, vasopressors will be used to keep a patient as stable as possible.
      By: Tyler Olson
      In an operating room, vasopressors will be used to keep a patient as stable as possible.