Pulse Study: Peripheral Use of Low-dose Vasopressors for Safety and Efficacy in the Intensive Care Unit

Plain-language summary

Using medications to increase blood pressure, called vasopressors, is invaluable in treating patients who have difficulty maintaining stable blood pressure. Vasopressors are usually infused through a central venous catheter (CVC), which is a flexible tube placed in the large vein of the neck, arm or groin. CVCs require a skilled clinician and often with an ultrasound to prevent complications such as a collapsed lung or bleeding. Alternatively, the infusion of vasopressors through a peripheral venous catheter (PVC), a thin tube placed in the smaller veins of the arm or hand has been avoided due to the risk of extravasation, which is the leakage of fluid to surrounding tissues. This can lead to potential tissue death requiring surgery. However, emerging research shows the safety of infusing vasopressors through a PVC, referred to as peripheral vasopressors. There is a growing interest in peripheral vasopressors for two main reasons: to expedite vasopressor initiation in patients with refractory shock and to avoid CVC placement and its potential complications. However, a standardized protocol for administration is lacking and many clinicians still avoid peripheral vasopressors due to lack of high-quality evidence. The investigators will examine the effectiveness of implementing a peripheral vasopressor protocol by conducting a feasibility study and assessing outcomes such as the safety of peripheral vasopressors and the acceptability rate of healthcare providers. By conducting this study, the investigators aim to provide the framework to conduct larger, multi-center trials and to provide high-quality data for the future use of a standardized peripheral vasopressor protocol.

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