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Condition

Vasodilatory Shock

Vasodilatory shock is a life-threatening state in which blood vessels widen so much that blood pressure falls and organs receive too little blood. The evidence is strong for vasopressin: in a randomized trial, average blood pressure was higher at 24 hours when it was added to norepinephrine than with norepinephrine alone. That finding concerns blood pressure support in critically ill people who were already receiving standard care.

Sources: PMID 12732600; PMID 12534330

Supplements studied
0
Medicines and peptides
1
Graded outcomes
4
No supplement studies yetWe haven’t found supplement studies for Vasodilatory Shock. The medicines and peptides studied for it are listed below.

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use.

1 medicine or peptide

Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin)

Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin): outcomes studied for Vasodilatory Shock
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Mortality (Less Severe Sepsis)

VASST trial: 28-day mortality 26.5% vs 35.7% (p=0.05) in less severe septic shock. No benefit in more severe shock.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect12 studies

Studies that measured mortality (less severe sepsis)

and 9 more on the Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin) page

Norepinephrine Sparing

Significantly reduces norepinephrine dose requirements at 24 and 48 hours. Allows weaning of catecholamines.

Improves (the measure goes down)Large effect11 studies

Studies that measured norepinephrine sparing

and 8 more on the Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin) page

Blood Pressure Support

FDA-approved for maintaining blood pressure in vasodilatory shock. MAP significantly higher at 24h with AVP+NE vs NE alone.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect10 studies

Studies that measured blood pressure support

and 7 more on the Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin) page

Hemodynamic Stabilization

Heart rate lower at 24-48h with AVP. Effective even in catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect10 studies

Studies that measured hemodynamic stabilization

and 7 more on the Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin) page

Key findings

  • Mortality (Less Severe Sepsis)Vasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Norepinephrine SparingVasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Blood Pressure SupportVasopressin (Vasostrict/Pitressin)Improves (the measure goes up)

Studies cited

12 studies from PubMed

  1. Hemodynamic effects of adjunct arginine vasopressin to norepinephrine in septic shock: insights from a prospective multicenter registry studyCrit Care, 2025 · PMID 40299108
  2. Vasopressin and its analogues in shock states: a reviewAnn Intensive Care, 2020 · PMID 31970567
  3. The Septic Shock 3.0 Definition and Trials: A Vasopressin and Septic Shock Trial ExperienceCrit Care Med, 2017 · PMID 28333757
  4. Vasopressin versus norepinephrine infusion in patients with septic shockN Engl J Med, 2008 · PMID 18305265
  5. Effects of arginine vasopressin during resuscitation from hemorrhagic hypotension after traumatic brain injuryCrit Care Med, 2006 · PMID 16424725
  6. Science Review: Vasopressin and the cardiovascular system part 2 - clinical physiology.Critical care (London, England), 2004 · PMID 14975041
  7. Science review: Vasopressin and the cardiovascular system part 1--receptor physiology.Critical care (London, England), 2003 · PMID 14624682
  8. Vasopressin: a new target for the treatment of heart failureHeart Fail Rev, 2003 · PMID 12851603
  9. Management of vasodilatory shock: defining the role of arginine vasopressinCrit Care Med, 2003 · PMID 12534330
  10. Arginine vasopressin in advanced vasodilatory shock: a prospective, randomized, controlled studyCirculation, 2003 · PMID 12732600
  11. A clinical review of the adaptive role of vasopressin in migraine.Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 1997 · PMID 9251870
  12. Central cardiovascular regulation and the role of vasopressin: a review.Clinical and experimental hypertension. Part A, Theory and practice, 1984 · PMID 6398147