Vasopressin as adjunctive therapy in pulmonary hypertension associated with refractory systemic hypotension in term newborns.

OBJECTIVE: The use of vasopressin as an adjunctive therapy in pulmonary hypertension associated with refractory systemic hypotension has increased. The objective of our study is to describe its effects on term infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. Setting in a referral level IV neonatal intensive care unit from a middle-income region. The patients are term neonates admitted to our NICU who required vasopressin due to severe Pulmonary Hypertension and refractory hypotension during a 49-month period (December 2019 and December 2023). RESULTS: We identified 68 term infants, all in mechanical ventilation, receiving inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), and a phased protocol management for hypotension. Vasopressin was a started at a mean of 2 days with a mean duration of 80 h. Regarding hemodynamic outcome: diastolic, systolic, and median systemic pressure significantly increased during the first 4 h of treatment, as well as arterial pH and urine output. Accordingly, lactate and Vasoactive Inotropic Score (VIS) score decreased after 4 and 8 h, respectively, after vasopressin was started. Regarding oxygenation markers: oxygen requirements and mean airway pressure decreased significantly (and therefore the oxygenation index decreased in concordance) after 4 h of vasopressin. Echocardiographic indices of pulmonary hypertension progressively improved after vasopressin infusion with a significant decrease of tricuspid ingurgitation velocities and the rate of right-to- left ductal shunt through the ductus arteriosus. In the same way, left and right ventricular output increased after the initiation of vasopressin. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the use of vasopressin in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension was associated with a rapid and significant improvement in oxygenation and hemodynamic markers of perfusion, including blood pressure. Its effects begin early during the first hours of treatment.

Vasopressin in vasoplegic shock in surgical patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Vasoplegia, or vasoplegic shock, is a syndrome whose main characteristic is reducing blood pressure in the presence of a standard or high cardiac output. For the treatment, vasopressors are recommended, and the most used is norepinephrine. However, new drugs have been evaluated, and conflicting results exist in the literature. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis, written according to the recommendations of the PRISMA report. The SCOPUS, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases were used to select the scientific articles included in the study. Searches were conducted in December 2022 using the terms "vasopressin," "norepinephrine," "vasoplegic shock," "postoperative," and "surgery." Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. The endpoint associated with the study was efficiency in treating vasoplegic shock and reduced risk of death. RESULTS: In total, 2,090 articles were retrieved; after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ten studies were selected to compose the present review. We found no significant difference when assessing the outcome mortality comparing vasopressin versus norepinephrine (odds ratio = 1.60; confidence interval 0.47-5.50), nor when comparing studies on vasopressin versus placebo. When we analyzed the length of hospital stay compared to the use of vasopressin and norepinephrine, we identified a shorter length of hospital stay in cases that used vasopressin; however, the meta-analysis did not demonstrate statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the outcomes included in our study, it is worth noting that most studies showed that using vasopressin was safe and can be considered in managing postoperative vasoplegic shock.

Role of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Therapeutic Potential of Agonists and Antagonists.

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are hypothalamic neuropeptides classically associated with their regulatory role in reproduction, water homeostasis, and social behaviors. Interestingly, this role has expanded in recent years and has positioned these neuropeptides as therapeutic targets for various neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism, addiction, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders. Due to the chemical-physical characteristics of these neuropeptides including short half-life, poor blood-brain barrier penetration, promiscuity for AVP and OT receptors (AVP-R, OT-R), novel ligands have been developed in recent decades. This review summarizes the role of OT and AVP in neuropsychiatric conditions, as well as the findings of different OT-R and AVP-R agonists and antagonists, used both at the preclinical and clinical level. Furthermore, we discuss their possible therapeutic potential for central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

Vasoactive Agents for the Management of Acute Variceal Bleeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vasoactive agents with endoscopic therapy are used to treat acute variceal bleeding (AVB). There are two main groups of vasoactive agents: terlipressin and vasopressin (T-V), and octreotide and somatostatin (O-S). However, the benefit/harm balance is unclear. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of T-V versus O-S for the management of AVB. METHODS: We performed a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL. Our main outcomes were mortality and adverse events. Secondary outcomes were bleeding control, rebleeding, blood transfusion, hospital stay. We evaluated the certainty of evidence using GRADE methodology. RESULTS: We included 21 RCTs. The risk of mortality (RR: 1.01; 95%CI: 0.83-1.22), bleeding control (RR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.91-1.02; I 2 =53%), early rebleeding (RR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.66-1.24: I 2 =0%), late rebleeding (RR: 0.94; 95 CI: 0.56-1.60; I 2 =0%), blood transfusion (MD: 0.04; 95%CI: -0.31-0.39; I 2 =68%) and hospital stay (MD: -1.06; 95%CI: -2.80-0.69; I 2 =0%) were similar between T-V and O-S groups. Only 15 studies reported adverse events, which were significantly higher in the T-V compared to the O-S group (RR 2.39; 95%CI: 1.58-3.63; I 2 =57%). The certainty of evidence was moderate for the main outcomes, and low or very low for others. CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients with AVB, those treated with T-V had similar mortality risk compared to O-S. However, the use of T-V showed an increased risk of adverse events compared to O-S.

Reanimação cérebro-cardio-respiratória em pequenos animais: revisão de literatura / Brain-cardio-respiratory reanimation in small animals: literature review / Reanimación cerebral-cardio-respiratoria en pequeños animales: revision de literatura

A reanimação cérebro-cardio-respiratória na medicina veterinária é uma área que merece bastante estudo e aprimoramento, visto que, na rotina, cada profissional acaba tomando uma conduta diferente. Partindo deste fato, é importante estabelecer o correto diagnóstico da parada e utilizar o que existe de mais recente, se baseando em comprovações científicas, para conseguir o sucesso de sua reversão. O objetivo desta revisão foi compilar tudo o que vem sendo escrito e publicado de mais atual referente ao tema, em pequenos animais, no intuito de mostrar aos médicos veterinários atuantes na área clínica, mecanismos de realizar a melhor conduta possível mediante a parada cárdiorespiratória.(AU)

The brain-cardio-respiratory resuscitation in veterinary medicine is an area that deserves a lot of study and improvement, since in the routine, each professional ends up taking a different course. Starting from this fact, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis of the stop and to use what is of the most recent, based on scientific evidence, to achieve the success of its revertion. The objective of this review was to compile all that has been written and published of the most recent one referring to the subject, in small animals, in order to show to veterinarians working in the clinical area, the mechanisms to perform the best possible behavior through the cardiacarrest.(AU)

La reanimación cerebro-cardio-respiratoria en medicina veterinaria es un área que merece mucho estudio y mejora, ya que, en la rutina, cada profesional termina adoptando un enfoque diferente. En base a este hecho, es importante establecer el diagnóstico correcto de la detención y utilizar el más reciente, basado en evidencia científica, para lograr el éxito de su reversión. El propósito de esta revisión fue recopilar todo lo que se ha escrito y publicado sobre lo último en el tema, en animales pequeños, con el fin de mostrar a los veterinarios que trabajan en el área clínica, los mecanismos para llevar a cabo la mejor conducta posible a través del paro cardiopulmonar.(AU)

Prognostic capability of the Maximum Acute Gastrointestinal Injury Score and of caloric intake in patients requiring vasopressors: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Our main objective was to use the Maximum Acute Gastrointestinal Injury Score (AGImax) to evaluate the prognostic capability of gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID), on hospital mortality in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) requiring vasopressors. A secondary goal was to analyze the relationship between AGImax and vasopressor dosage with increasing caloric intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter cohort study in ten ICUs across Argentina. Consecutive adult patients on MV, requiring vasopressors and receiving enteral nutrition (EN) were included. AGImax was identified (I-IV) using a modified AGI score. Comparisons of clinical and outcome variables were performed in 3 predetermined EN-groups: <10 kcal/kg/d, ≥10 to <20 kcal/kg/d, or ≥ 20 kcal/kg/d. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients met all inclusion criteria. Forty-four percent of patients had severe AGImax and 17% received <10 kcal/kg/day, indicating more severity and higher mortality. Notable independent predictors of mortality were AGImax, vasopressors, and caloric intake. PN was the only factor which had an inverse relationship to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, patients with AGImax III-IV were significantly associated with lower caloric intake and greater hospital mortality, highlighting the importance of AGI as a prognostic tool. As PN was linked with lower mortality, it could be an option to explore in further studies.

Reanimação cérebro-cardio-respiratória em pequenos animais: revisão de literatura / Brain-cardio-respiratory reanimation in small animals: literature review / Reanimación cerebral-cardio-respiratoria en pequeños animales: revision de literatura

A reanimação cérebro-cardio-respiratória na medicina veterinária é uma área que merece bastante estudo e aprimoramento, visto que, na rotina, cada profissional acaba tomando uma conduta diferente. Partindo deste fato, é importante estabelecer o correto diagnóstico da parada e utilizar o que existe de mais recente, se baseando em comprovações científicas, para conseguir o sucesso de sua reversão. O objetivo desta revisão foi compilar tudo o que vem sendo escrito e publicado de mais atual referente ao tema, em pequenos animais, no intuito de mostrar aos médicos veterinários atuantes na área clínica, mecanismos de realizar a melhor conduta possível mediante a parada cárdiorespiratória.

The brain-cardio-respiratory resuscitation in veterinary medicine is an area that deserves a lot of study and improvement, since in the routine, each professional ends up taking a different course. Starting from this fact, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis of the stop and to use what is of the most recent, based on scientific evidence, to achieve the success of its revertion. The objective of this review was to compile all that has been written and published of the most recent one referring to the subject, in small animals, in order to show to veterinarians working in the clinical area, the mechanisms to perform the best possible behavior through the cardiacarrest.

La reanimación cerebro-cardio-respiratoria en medicina veterinaria es un área que merece mucho estudio y mejora, ya que, en la rutina, cada profesional termina adoptando un enfoque diferente. En base a este hecho, es importante establecer el diagnóstico correcto de la detención y utilizar el más reciente, basado en evidencia científica, para lograr el éxito de su reversión. El propósito de esta revisión fue recopilar todo lo que se ha escrito y publicado sobre lo último en el tema, en animales pequeños, con el fin de mostrar a los veterinarios que trabajan en el área clínica, los mecanismos para llevar a cabo la mejor conducta posible a través del paro cardiopulmonar.

Vasopressin Versus Norepinephrine for the Management of Septic Shock in Cancer Patients: The VANCS II Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Previous trials suggest that vasopressin may improve outcomes in patients with vasodilatory shock. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether vasopressin could be superior to norepinephrine to improve outcomes in cancer patients with septic shock. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, and meta-analysis of randomized trials. SETTING: ICU of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Two-hundred fifty patients 18 years old or older with cancer and septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to either vasopressin or norepinephrine as first-line vasopressor therapy. An updated meta-analysis was also conducted including randomized trials published until October 2018. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 28 days after randomization. Prespecified secondary outcomes included 90-days all-cause mortality rate; number of days alive and free of advanced organ support at day 28; and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score 24 hours and 96 hours after randomization. We also measure the prevalence of adverse effects in 28 days. A total of 250 patients were randomized. The primary outcome was observed in 71 patients (56.8%) in the vasopressin group and 66 patients (52.8%) in the norepinephrine group (p = 0.52). There were no significant differences in 90-day mortality (90 patients [72.0%] and 94 patients [75.2%], respectively; p = 0.56), number of days alive and free of advanced organ support, adverse events, or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. CONCLUSIONS: In cancer patients with septic shock, vasopressin as first-line vasopressor therapy was not superior to norepinephrine in reducing 28-day mortality rate.

Use of vasopressin in the treatment of refractory septic shock. / Utilização da vasopressina no tratamento de choque séptico refratário.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term evolution of patients with septic shock refractory to norepinephrine treated with vasopressin in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. METHODS: An unmatched retrospective study (case series) was performed. Clinical, laboratory, and anthropometric data were collected from patients who received vasopressin infusion for treatment of catecholamine-refractory shock from December 2014 to June 2016. For the assessment of severity, APACHE II and SOFA scores were used. The main outcome was mortality at 3 and 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included, of which 60% were male. In 86.3% of the cases, APACHE II was observed in the highest ranges (> 20). The 30-day mortality was 86.2%, and 75% of the patients died within 72 hours after starting vasopressin. CONCLUSION: The series evaluated had high mortality in the first 72 hours of treatment with vasopressin. The use of vasopressin in patients who are refractory to norepinephrine had little or no impact on mortality. It was not possible to exclude the possibility that the high mortality in the present study was linked to the relatively late onset (after established refractoriness of norepinephrine) of vasopressin; this hypothesis should be further evaluated in a randomized study.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a evolução em curto prazo de pacientes com choque séptico refratário à norepinefrina tratados com vasopressina em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo não comparado (série de casos). Foram coletados dados clínicos, laboratoriais e antropométricos de pacientes que receberam infusão de vasopressina para tratamento de choque refratário a catecolaminas no período de dezembro de 2014 a junho de 2016. Para a avaliação de gravidade, foram utilizados o APACHE II e o SOFA. O desfecho principal foi mortalidade em 3 e em 30 dias. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 80 pacientes, sendo 60% do sexo masculino. Em 86,3% dos casos, verificou-se APACHE II nas faixas mais altas (> 20). A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 86,2%, sendo que 75% dos pacientes foram a óbito dentro de 72 horas após início do uso da vasopressina. CONCLUSÃO: A série avaliada apresentou alta mortalidade nas primeiras 72 horas de tratamento com vasopressina. O uso de vasopressina em pacientes refratários à norepinefrina teve pouco ou nenhum impacto na mortalidade. Não é possível excluir que a alta mortalidade no presente estudo esteja vinculada ao início relativamente tardio (após estabelecida refratariedade à norepinefrina) da vasopressina, devendo essa hipótese ser melhor avaliada por estudo randomizado.

Utilização da vasopressina no tratamento de choque séptico refratário / Use of vasopressin in the treatment of refractory septic shock

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução em curto prazo de pacientes com choque séptico refratário à norepinefrina tratados com vasopressina em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo não comparado (série de casos). Foram coletados dados clínicos, laboratoriais e antropométricos de pacientes que receberam infusão de vasopressina para tratamento de choque refratário a catecolaminas no período de dezembro de 2014 a junho de 2016. Para a avaliação de gravidade, foram utilizados o APACHE II e o SOFA. O desfecho principal foi mortalidade em 3 e em 30 dias. Resultados: Foram incluídos 80 pacientes, sendo 60% do sexo masculino. Em 86,3% dos casos, verificou-se APACHE II nas faixas mais altas (> 20). A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 86,2%, sendo que 75% dos pacientes foram a óbito dentro de 72 horas após início do uso da vasopressina. Conclusão: A série avaliada apresentou alta mortalidade nas primeiras 72 horas de tratamento com vasopressina. O uso de vasopressina em pacientes refratários à norepinefrina teve pouco ou nenhum impacto na mortalidade. Não é possível excluir que a alta mortalidade no presente estudo esteja vinculada ao início relativamente tardio (após estabelecida refratariedade à norepinefrina) da vasopressina, devendo essa hipótese ser melhor avaliada por estudo randomizado.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the short-term evolution of patients with septic shock refractory to norepinephrine treated with vasopressin in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. Methods: An unmatched retrospective study (case series) was performed. Clinical, laboratory, and anthropometric data were collected from patients who received vasopressin infusion for treatment of catecholamine-refractory shock from December 2014 to June 2016. For the assessment of severity, APACHE II and SOFA scores were used. The main outcome was mortality at 3 and 30 days. Results: A total of 80 patients were included, of which 60% were male. In 86.3% of the cases, APACHE II was observed in the highest ranges (> 20). The 30-day mortality was 86.2%, and 75% of the patients died within 72 hours after starting vasopressin. Conclusion: The series evaluated had high mortality in the first 72 hours of treatment with vasopressin. The use of vasopressin in patients who are refractory to norepinephrine had little or no impact on mortality. It was not possible to exclude the possibility that the high mortality in the present study was linked to the relatively late onset (after established refractoriness of norepinephrine) of vasopressin; this hypothesis should be further evaluated in a randomized study.

Epinephrine in cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: evaluate the effectiveness of epinephrine used during cardiac arrest and its effect on the survival rates and neurological condition. Method: systematic review of scientific literature with meta-analysis, using a random effects model. The following databases were used to research clinical trials and observational studies: Medline, Embase and Cochrane, from 2005 to 2015. Results: when the Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) with administration of epinephrine was compared with ROSC without administration, increased rates were found with administration (OR 2.02. 95% CI 1.49 to 2.75; I2 = 95%). Meta-analysis showed an increase in survival to discharge or 30 days after administration of epinephrine (OR 1.23; 95% IC 1.05-1.44; I2=83%). Stratification by shockable and non-shockable rhythms showed an increase in survival for non-shockable rhythm (OR 1.52; 95% IC 1.29-1.78; I2=42%). When compared with delayed administration, the administration of epinephrine within 10 minutes showed an increased survival rate (OR 2.03; 95% IC 1.77-2.32; I2=0%). Conclusion: administration of epinephrine appears to increase the rate of ROSC, but when compared with other therapies, no positive effect was found on survival rates of patients with favorable neurological status.

Epinephrine in cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis / A adrenalina durante parada cardíaca: revisão sistemática e meta-análise / Adrenalina en el paro cardíaco: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis

abstract Objective: evaluate the effectiveness of epinephrine used during cardiac arrest and its effect on the survival rates and neurological condition. Method: systematic review of scientific literature with meta-analysis, using a random effects model. The following databases were used to research clinical trials and observational studies: Medline, Embase and Cochrane, from 2005 to 2015. Results: when the Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) with administration of epinephrine was compared with ROSC without administration, increased rates were found with administration (OR 2.02. 95% CI 1.49 to 2.75; I2 = 95%). Meta-analysis showed an increase in survival to discharge or 30 days after administration of epinephrine (OR 1.23; 95% IC 1.05-1.44; I2=83%). Stratification by shockable and non-shockable rhythms showed an increase in survival for non-shockable rhythm (OR 1.52; 95% IC 1.29-1.78; I2=42%). When compared with delayed administration, the administration of epinephrine within 10 minutes showed an increased survival rate (OR 2.03; 95% IC 1.77-2.32; I2=0%). Conclusion: administration of epinephrine appears to increase the rate of ROSC, but when compared with other therapies, no positive effect was found on survival rates of patients with favorable neurological status.

resumo Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade da adrenalina na parada cardíaca e seu efeito na sobrevivência e no estado neurológico. Métodos: revisão sistemática da literatura científica com meta-análise utilizando um modelo de efeitos aleatórios. Revisão em Medline, Embase e Cochrane, desde 2005 até 2015 de ensaios clínicos e estudos observacionais. Resultados: observou-se aumento nas taxas de retorno de circulação espontânea com a administração de adrenalina (OR 2,02; 95% IC 1,49-2,75; I2=95%) comparadas com a não administração de adrenalina. A meta-análise mostrou um aumento da sobrevivência na alta ou depois de 30 dias da administração de adrenalina (OR 1,23; 95% IC 1,05-1,44; I2=83%). Quando estratificados por ritmos desfibrilháveis e não desfibrilháveis apareceu um aumento da sobrevivência nos ritmos não desfibrilháveis (OR 1,52; 95% IC 1,29-1,78; I2=42%). Também observou-se um incremento de sobrevivência na alta ou depois de 30 dias, quando administrada a adrenalina antes de 10 minutos, isto comparado com administração tardia (OR 2,03; 95% IC 1,77-2,32; I2=0%). Conclusão: a administração de adrenalina parece incrementar a taxa de retorno da circulação espontânea, mas não se tem encontrado um efeito positivo nas taxas de sobrevivência nem nas taxas de pacientes com estado neurológico favorável, em comparação com outras terapias.

resumen Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la adrenalina en el paro cardíaco y su efecto en la supervivencia y en el estado neurológico. Métodos: revisión sistemática de la literatura científica con metaanálisis utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios. Revisión en Medline, Embase y Cochrane, desde 2005 hasta 2015, de ensayos clínicos y estudios observacionales. Resultados: se observó aumento en las tasas de retorno de circulación espontánea cuando administrada adrenalina (OR 2,02; 95% IC 1,49-2,75; I2=95%) comparada con la no administración de adrenalina. El metaanálisis mostró un aumento de la supervivencia al alta hospitalaria o a los 30 días cuando administrada adrenalina (OR 1,23; 95% IC 1,05-1,44; I2=83%). La estratificación por ritmos desfibrilables y no desfibrilables mostró un aumento de la supervivencia en ritmos no desfibrilables (OR 1,52; 95% IC 1,29-1,78; I2=42%). También, se observó un incremento en la supervivencia al alta hospitalaria o a los 30 días en la administración de adrenalina antes de 10 minutos comparada con la administración tardía (OR 2,03; 95% IC 1,77-2,32; I2=0%). Conclusión: la administración de adrenalina parece incrementar la tasa de retorno de circulación espontánea, pero no se ha encontrado un efecto positivo en tasas de supervivencia ni en tasas de pacientes con estado neurológico favorable, en comparación con otras terapias.

Trends in pharmacotherapy for neonatal hypotension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine trends in pharmacotherapy for neonatal hypotension in all infants and in extremely low birth weight (ELBW, birth weight 300-1000 g) infants. STUDY DESIGN: We queried the Pediatric Health Information System database for all infants ≤28 days with a diagnosis code for hypotension that were discharged between January 2001 and December 2012. Patients were excluded if they had complex congenital heart disease or cardiac surgery, sepsis or meningitis, or had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We determined trends in pharmacotherapy for hypotension in all infants and ELBW infants, an especially vulnerable group. RESULTS: A total of 8019 hypotensive infants met study criteria. The 2 most prescribed medications were dopamine (65.3%) and dobutamine (19.9%). For 1487 hypotensive ELBW infants, the 2 most prescribed medications were dopamine (83.4%) and hydrocortisone (33%). During the study period, the use of dobutamine decreased, and hydrocortisone and vasopressin use increased for all infants and for ELBW infants. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of neonatal hypotension varies widely between institutions and individual practitioners, and pharmacotherapy for neonatal hypotension has changed over the past decade. Although dopamine and dobutamine were the most frequently used agents, their use has declined and the uses of hydrocortisone and vasopressin have increased.

Vasopressin improves hemodynamic status in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of vasopressin to stabilize hemodynamics in infants with systemic hypotension secondary to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify 13 patients with CDH treated with vasopressin for refractory hypotension to assess the effect of vasopressin on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and gas exchange in this setting. Data collected included demographics, respiratory support, inotropic agents, pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics, urine output, and serum and urine sodium levels during vasopressin therapy. RESULTS: Vasopressin therapy increased mean arterial pressure and decreased pulmonary/systemic pressure ratio, heart rate, and fraction of inspired oxygen. In 6 of 13 patients, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was no longer indicated after treatment with vasopressin. Improvement in left ventricular function and oxygenation index after vasopressin initiation was associated with a decreased need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. Prolonged vasopressin treatment was associated with hyponatremia, increased urine output, and increased urine sodium. CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin stabilized systemic hemodynamics without adverse effects on pulmonary hemodynamics in a subset of infants with CDH. Our results suggest a potential role for vasopressin therapy in patients with CDH with catecholamine-resistant refractory hypotension.

Hemorragia variceal: terapia con drogas vasoactivas ¿siempre o en casos seleccionados? / Variceal hemorrhage: pharmacological therapy: always or in selected cases only?

One of the most relevant complications of portal hypertension in cirrhosis is the development of gastroesophageal varices. They are present in 50 percent of patients with cirrhosis at the diagnosis. The risk of bleeding depends on the degree of portal hypertension and the severity of liver disease. Variceal hemorrhage is the most common lethal complication of cirrhosis. In the last decades there had been numerous clinical trials involving different treatment options for variceal bleeding (pharmacological, endoscopic and surgery) trying to establish the best treatment strategy. Since the rise in portal pressure is the cause of variceal rupture, therapies that can decrease portal pressure have a theoretical rationale for their use. Endoscopic treatment, although effective, has no effect on portal pressure. Vasoactive agents (vasopressin and its analogue terlipressin, somatostatin and its analogue octreotide) cause splanchnic vasoconstriction and decrease portal pressure. Pharmacological treatments have the advantage that they can be easily administered, and started as soon as the diagnosis of variceal bleeding is suspected. This makes pharmacological treatment especially attractive for centers that have no chance of emergency endoscopy. At this moment there is sufficient evidence to recommend combined treatment with vasoactive drugs and endoscopy for the control of variceal hemorrhage.

Una de las principales complicaciones de los pacientes cirróticos con hipertensión portal es el desarrollo de várices gastroesofágicas. Éstas están presentes al momento del diagnóstico en alrededor de 50 por ciento de los pacientes con cirrosis. La hemorragia variceal es la complicación letal más frecuente en los pacientes cirróticos. En las últimas décadas se han realizado múltiples esfuerzos para lograr definir la mejor combinación de técnicas (endoscópicas, farmacológicas y quirúrgicas) para disminuir la morbimortalidad asociada a la hemorragia variceal. Dado que la causa de la ruptura de las várices es un aumento de la presión portal, todas las medidas que logren disminuirla son medidas racionales para lograr detener la hemorragia. El tratamiento endoscópico, si bien efectivo, no afecta la fisiopatología de la hemorragia variceal. Las drogas vasoconstrictoras (vasopresina y su derivado terlipresina o somatostatina y su derivado octreotide) actúan a nivel de la circulación esplácnica, disminuyendo el flujo sanguíneo. El tratamiento farmacológico tiene la ventaja de ser fácilmente administrado, incluso antes de realizar una endoscopia, toda vez que se sospecha una hemorragia variceal, lo que hace particularmente atractivo su uso en centros en que no se cuenta con endoscopia de urgencia. Actualmente, existe suficiente evidencia para recomendar el uso de estos fármacos como terapia adicional a la endoscopia ante la sospecha de una hemorragia variceal.

Use of beta-blockers for the treatment of cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced Life Support guidelines recommend the use of epinephrine during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), as to increase coronary blood flow and perfusion pressure through its alpha-adrenergic peripheral vasoconstriction, allowing minimal rises in coronary perfusion pressure to make defibrillation possible. Contrasting to these alpha-adrenergic effects, epinephrine's beta-stimulation may have deleterious effects through an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption and a reduction of subendocardial perfusion, leading to postresuscitation cardiac dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The present paper consists of a systematic review of the literature regarding the use of beta-blockade in cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). METHODS: Studies were identified through MEDLINE electronic databases research and were included those regarding the use of beta-blockade during CPR. RESULTS: Beta-blockade has been extensively studied in animal models of CPR. These studies not only suggest that beta-blockade could reduce myocardial oxygen requirements and the number of shocks necessary for defibrillation, but also improve postresuscitation myocardial function, diminish arrhythmia recurrences and prolong survival. A few case reports described successful beta-blockade use in patients, along with two prospective human studies, suggesting that it could be safe and effectively used during cardiac arrest in humans. CONCLUSION: Even though the existing literature points toward a beneficial effect of beta-blockade in patients presenting with cardiac arrest due to VF/pulseless VT, high quality human trials are still lacking to answer this question definitely.

[Brain death, physiopathology, optimal care and hormonal therapy for cardiac donation]. / Muerte encefálica, fisiopatología, cuidado óptimo y terapia hormonal para donación cardíaca.

Heart transplantation goes on leading the standard therapy for the terminal heart failure. The success of this procedure and the post-transplantation survival, meaning during the perioperative time, is variable because of the good performance of the donor graft, due to this situation, the pre-harvesting evaluation is very important. The brain death brought many changes: 1) first of all the "adrenergic storm" with its hemodynamic and cardiac dangerous events; 2) Thyroidal hormones, cortisol, vasopressin, and seric insulin depletion with its metabolic consequences respectively. Since 2002 during the Crystal Consensus started the using of the hormonal therapeutic with triyodothironine, vasopressin and metilprednisolone for improving, meaning those limitrophes ones, the performance donor hearts with brain death, and the goal has been to harvest more donated organs en quality and numbers. This hormonal therapeutic has had great acceptation and is successful; having more harvesting of solids organs: hearts, lungs and kidneys; with more performance and surviving at 1 year post-transplantation and less mortality. Our Hospital began the hormonal therapeutic since January 2011with excellent results. On this basis we can concluded that, hormonal rescue therapy, improves the availability and performance of organs for transplantation.

[Vasoplegic syndrome and its treatment with vasopressin during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass]. / Cirugía cardiaca con circulación extracorpórea: síndrome vasoplégico y vasopresina.

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with systemic inflammatory response. In some cases this clinical condition is characterized by severe hypotension due to low systemic vascular resistance during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. A few of these cases do not respond to volume or catecholamines. This condition is known as vasoplegic syndrome. Its etiology is not fully understood today and carries associated morbidity and mortality In this syndrome, vasopressin levels are reduced, as in septic and hypovolemic shock. Supplementary vasopressin improves blood pressure and might be considered as an alternative treatment. Several reports have shown benefits when used alone or in combination with catecholamines. However, further studies are necessary to find the most appropriate use of the drug for vasoplegic syndrome.

Cirugía cardiaca con circulación extracorpórea: síndrome vasoplégico y vasopresina / Vasoplegic syndrome and its treatment with vasopressin during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with systemic inflammatory response. In some cases this clinical condition is characterized by severe hypotension due to low systemic vascular resistance during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Afew ofthese cases do not respond to volume or catecholamines. This condition is known as vasoplegic syndrome. Its etiology is notfully understood today and carries associated morbidity and mortality In this syndrome, vasopressin levéis are reduced, as in septic and hypovolemic shock. Supplementary vasopressin improves blood pressure and might be considered as an alternative treatment. Severa! reports have shown benefits when used alone or in combination with catecholamines. However, further studies are necessary to find the most appropriate use ofthe drug for vasoplegic syndrome.