Terlipressin bolus induces systemic vasoconstriction in septic shock

An Update on Pharmacologic Management of Neonatal Hypotension: When, Why, and Which Medication

Anti-hypotensive treatment, which includes dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, milrinone, vasopressin, terlipressin, levosimendan, and glucocorticoids, is a long-established intervention in neonates with arterial hypotension (AH). However, there are still gaps in knowledge and issues that need clarification. The main questions and challenges that neonatologists face relate to the reference ranges of arterial blood pressure in presumably healthy neonates in relation to gestational and postnatal age; the arterial blood pressure level that potentially affects perfusion of critical organs; the incorporation of targeted echocardiography and near-infrared spectroscopy for assessing heart function and cerebral perfusion in clinical practice; the indication, timing, and choice of medication for each individual patient; the limited randomized clinical trials in neonates with sometimes conflicting results; and the sparse data regarding the potential effect of early hypotension or anti-hypotensive medications on long-term neurodevelopment. In this review, after a short review of AH definitions used in neonates and existing data on pathophysiology of AH, we discuss currently available data on pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effects, as well as the effectiveness and safety of anti-hypotensive medications in neonates. In addition, data on the comparisons between anti-hypotensive medications and current suggestions for the main indications of each medication are discussed.

Using terlipressin in a pediatric patient with septic shock resistant to catecholamines

Sepsis and septic shock are important causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children. The goal of treatment is to ensure adequate mean arterial pressure to maintain organ perfusion. The growing number of instances of peripheral vascular hyporeactivity to catecholamines has necessitated the search for alternative vasopressors. A 14-year-old boy had septic shock, with a high cardiac index and low systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) measurements according to pulse contour analysis, despite treatment with dopamine, dobutamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline infusions. A terlipressin (TP) 10 μg/kg intravenous bolus was administered, followed by a 1 μg/kg/minute continuous infusion. The response to TP treatment was assessed using pulse contour analysis. The mean arterial pressure and SVRI increased, and the cardiac index and heart rate decreased within 10 minutes after bolus administration of TP. Noradrenaline infusion could be reduced to 0.7 μg/kg/minute within 5 hours. The goal in presenting this case was to evaluate the vasoconstrictor effects of TP, a long-acting vasopressin analogue, in septic shock.

American College of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Parameters for Hemodynamic Support of Pediatric and Neonatal Septic Shock

OBJECTIVES

The American College of Critical Care Medicine provided 2002 and 2007 guidelines for hemodynamic support of newborn and pediatric septic shock. Provide the 2014 update of the 2007 American College of Critical Care Medicine "Clinical Guidelines for Hemodynamic Support of Neonates and Children with Septic Shock."

DESIGN

Society of Critical Care Medicine members were identified from general solicitation at Society of Critical Care Medicine Educational and Scientific Symposia (2006-2014). The PubMed/Medline/Embase literature (2006-14) was searched by the Society of Critical Care Medicine librarian using the keywords: sepsis, septicemia, septic shock, endotoxemia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and American College of Critical Care Medicine guidelines in the newborn and pediatric age groups.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The 2002 and 2007 guidelines were widely disseminated, translated into Spanish and Portuguese, and incorporated into Society of Critical Care Medicine and American Heart Association/Pediatric Advanced Life Support sanctioned recommendations. The review of new literature highlights two tertiary pediatric centers that implemented quality improvement initiatives to improve early septic shock recognition and first-hour compliance to these guidelines. Improved compliance reduced hospital mortality from 4% to 2%. Analysis of Global Sepsis Initiative data in resource rich developed and developing nations further showed improved hospital mortality with compliance to first-hour and stabilization guideline recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

The major new recommendation in the 2014 update is consideration of institution-specific use of 1) a "recognition bundle" containing a trigger tool for rapid identification of patients with septic shock, 2) a "resuscitation and stabilization bundle" to help adherence to best practice principles, and 3) a "performance bundle" to identify and overcome perceived barriers to the pursuit of best practice principles.

The Role of Terlipressin in Pediatric Septic Shock: A Review of the Literature and Personal Experience

Vasopressin and its synthetic analog terlipressin are potent vasopressors that could be useful in vasodilatory septic shock. In septic adults, vasopressin/terlipressin have been shown to increase mean arterial pressure and to decrease the necessity for catecholamines. Moreover, low doses of vasopressin (or terlipressin) increase urine output and ameliorate oxygenation. Although pediatric septic shock is more often hypodynamic, both vasopressin and terlipressin have proved to be effective in restoring blood pressure or increasing the diuresis in this setting. The purpose of this review is to summarize the physiology of vasopressin and to report the available evidence for the use of vasopressin or terlipressin in pediatric septic shock in order to make best use in this population. We also report our experience with the continuous infusion of terlipressin in two pediatric patients who developed catecholamine refractory septic shock.

Hemodynamic effects of continuous versus bolus infusion of terlipressin for portal hypertension: a randomized comparison

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The hemodynamics of patients with portal hypertension within 4 h after a single injection of terlipressin has been studied. However, the hemodynamics in a longer phase under different infusion styles is unknown. This study aims to compare the effects of bolus and continuous infusion of terlipressin on systemic and hepatic hemodynamics in patients with portal hypertension.

METHODS

Twenty patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure were randomly assigned to be treated with either intravenous bolus infusion of terlipressin (1 mg) followed by a continuous infusion (4 mg/24 h, n = 10), or intravenous bolus injection of terlipressin (2 mg) followed by intermittent injections (1 mg/6 h, n = 10). The mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and portal venous pressure (PVP) were monitored and recorded at baseline, 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, and then once an hour. Serum renin activity, serum angiotensin II, and aldosterone levels were measured prior to and 24 h after the administration of terlipressin.

RESULTS

PVP dropped rapidly in both groups, and reduced 16.46% and 28.22%, respectively, at the 1-h time point. Thereafter, PVP remained stable in continuous group while rebounded obviously in intermittent group. One hour after the start of drug administration, heart rate decreased significantly in both groups (84.1 ± 12.8 vs 73.8 ± 12.6 in intermittent group and 86.7 ± 11.5 vs 77.1 ± 13.6 in continuous group, P < 0.005), and mean arterial pressure increased in both groups, although no statistical differences were found.

CONCLUSION

Continuous infusion of terlipressin reduces PVP stably and may become an alternative to traditional bolus injection.

Part 10: Pediatric basic and advanced life support: 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations

Note From the Writing Group: Throughout this article, the reader will notice combinations of superscripted letters and numbers (eg, “Family Presence During ResuscitationPeds-003”). These callouts are hyperlinked to evidence-based worksheets, which were used in the development of this article. An appendix of worksheets, applicable to this article, is located at the end of the text. The worksheets are available in PDF format and are open access.

Clinical practice parameters for hemodynamic support of pediatric and neonatal septic shock: 2007 update from the American College of Critical Care Medicine

BACKGROUND

The Institute of Medicine calls for the use of clinical guidelines and practice parameters to promote "best practices" and to improve patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

2007 update of the 2002 American College of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Guidelines for Hemodynamic Support of Neonates and Children with Septic Shock.

PARTICIPANTS

Society of Critical Care Medicine members with special interest in neonatal and pediatric septic shock were identified from general solicitation at the Society of Critical Care Medicine Educational and Scientific Symposia (2001-2006).

METHODS

The Pubmed/MEDLINE literature database (1966-2006) was searched using the keywords and phrases: sepsis, septicemia, septic shock, endotoxemia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and American College of Critical Care Medicine guidelines. Best practice centers that reported best outcomes were identified and their practices examined as models of care. Using a modified Delphi method, 30 experts graded new literature. Over 30 additional experts then reviewed the updated recommendations. The document was subsequently modified until there was greater than 90% expert consensus.

RESULTS

The 2002 guidelines were widely disseminated, translated into Spanish and Portuguese, and incorporated into Society of Critical Care Medicine and AHA sanctioned recommendations. Centers that implemented the 2002 guidelines reported best practice outcomes (hospital mortality 1%-3% in previously healthy, and 7%-10% in chronically ill children). Early use of 2002 guidelines was associated with improved outcome in the community hospital emergency department (number needed to treat = 3.3) and tertiary pediatric intensive care setting (number needed to treat = 3.6); every hour that went by without guideline adherence was associated with a 1.4-fold increased mortality risk. The updated 2007 guidelines continue to recognize an increased likelihood that children with septic shock, compared with adults, require 1) proportionally larger quantities of fluid, 2) inotrope and vasodilator therapies, 3) hydrocortisone for absolute adrenal insufficiency, and 4) ECMO for refractory shock. The major new recommendation in the 2007 update is earlier use of inotrope support through peripheral access until central access is attained.

CONCLUSION

The 2007 update continues to emphasize early use of age-specific therapies to attain time-sensitive goals, specifically recommending 1) first hour fluid resuscitation and inotrope therapy directed to goals of threshold heart rates, normal blood pressure, and capillary refill 70% and cardiac index 3.3-6.0 L/min/m.

Distinct hemodynamic patterns of septic shock at presentation to pediatric intensive care

OBJECTIVE

Early aggressive resuscitation is accepted best practice for severe pediatric sepsis. Targeting of therapy to individual hemodynamic patterns is recommended, but assessment of patterns is difficult early in the disease process. New technologies enabling earlier hemodynamic assessment in shock may inform choices for vasoactive drugs in fluid-resistant cases.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of 30 children with suspected fluid-resistant septic shock (minimum: 40 mL/kg) admitted to the PICU of a tertiary care children's hospital between July 2004 and July 2005. Children were classified according to admission diagnosis (community-acquired sepsis or central venous catheter-associated infection) and assessed within 4 hours after the onset of shock with a noninvasive cardiac output device. Cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index were measured for all patients. Central venous oxygen saturation was measured for patients with accessible central venous lines at the time of hemodynamic measurements (typically at the superior vena cava-right atrium junction).

RESULTS

Fluid-resistant septic shock secondary to central venous catheter-associated infection was typically "warm shock" (15 of 16 patients; 94%), with high cardiac index and low systemic vascular resistance index. In contrast, this pattern was rarely seen in community-acquired sepsis (2 of 14 patients; 14%), where a normal or low cardiac index was predominant.

CONCLUSIONS

The hemodynamic patterns of fluid-resistant septic shock by the time children present to the PICU are distinct, depending on cause, with little overlap. If these findings can be reproduced, then targeting the choice of first-line vasoactive infusions in fluid-resistant shock (vasopressors for central venous catheter-associated infections and inotropes for community-acquired sepsis) should be considered.

Recent advances in sepsis and septic shock

Sepsis remains a common problem in all age groups. Recently surviving sepsis campaign has taken up a worldwide initiative by publishing international guidelines 2008 with a hope to disseminate information regarding management of sepsis for all age groups. This article presents a review of recent advances as they apply to pediatric age group supported by the available evidence with reference to standard definitions of pediatric sepsis and septic shock and management in the emergency room and pediatric intensive care unit.

Vasopressin in pediatric shock and cardiac arrest

OBJECTIVE

To review the physiology and the published literature on the role of vasopressin in shock in children.

DATA SOURCE

We searched MEDLINE (1966-2007), EMBASE (1980-2007), and the Cochrane Library, using the terms vasopressin, terlipressin, and shock and synonyms or related terms for relevant studies in pediatrics. We searched the online ISRCTN-Current Controlled Trials registry for ongoing trials. We reviewed the reference lists of all identified studies and reviews as well as personal files to identify other published studies.

RESULTS

Beneficial effects have been reported in vasodilatory shock and asystolic cardiac arrest in adults. Solid evidence for vasopressin use in children is scant. Observational studies have reported an improvement in blood pressure and rapid weaning off catecholamines during administration of low-dose vasopressin. Dosing in children is extrapolated from adult studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Vasopressin offers promise in shock and cardiac arrest in children. However, in view of the limited experience with vasopressin, it should be used with caution. Results of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in children with vasodilatory shock will be available soon.

Pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety of terlipressin in esophageal varices bleeding, septic shock and hepatorenal syndrome

Terlipressin, a vasopressin agonist, is a commonly used drug with different indications, particularly in patients with end-stage liver disease. As a V(1) receptor agonist, it increases systemic vascular resistance, particularly in the splanchnic area, resulting in a decrease of portal pressure. Besides the approved use for variceal bleeding, terlipressin also has beneficial effects in the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome and norepinephrine-resistant septic shock. In patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding, the use of terlipressin reduces the portal vein pressure and decreases the pressure in esophageal varices. This can save lives when skilled endoscopists are not immediately available. Hepatorenal syndrome is associated with vasodilation in the mesenteric circulation with arterial underfilling and consecutive renal vasoconstriction. Restoration of an effective arterial blood volume can be achieved by the combination of terlipressin and volume expansion. In some cases, a success rate of up to 75% is reported. The early use of terlipressin in catecholamine-resistant shock can improve organ perfusion.

Rescue therapy in septic shock--is terlipressin the last frontier?

Use of terlipressin, an analogue of vasopressin, can be considered in septic shock patients with intractable hypotension and high cardiac output in whom fluid resuscitation and high-dose conventional catecholamines have failed. The effects of this agent on organ function are poorly evaluated in humans. The limited number of patients evaluated precludes any analysis of adverse outcomes and prognosis.

Rescue treatment with terlipressin in children with refractory septic shock: a clinical study

INTRODUCTION

Refractory septic shock has dismal prognosis despite aggressive therapy. The purpose of the present study is to report the effects of terlipressin (TP) as a rescue treatment in children with catecholamine refractory hypotensive septic shock.

METHODS

We prospectively registered the children with severe septic shock and hypotension resistant to standard intensive care, including a high dose of catecholamines, who received compassionate therapy with TP in nine pediatric intensive care units in Spain, over a 12-month period. The TP dose was 0.02 mg/kg every four hours.

RESULTS

Sixteen children (age range, 1 month-13 years) were included. The cause of sepsis was meningococcal in eight cases, Staphylococcus aureus in two cases, and unknown in six cases. At inclusion the median (range) Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score was 23.5 (12-52) and the median (range) Pediatric Risk of Mortality score was 24.5 (16-43). All children had been treated with a combination of at least two catecholamines at high dose rates. TP treatment induced a rapid and sustained improvement in the mean arterial blood pressure that allowed reduction of the catecholamine infusion rate after one hour in 14 out of 16 patients. The mean (range) arterial blood pressure 30 minutes after TP administration increased from 50.5 (37-93) to 77 (42-100) mmHg (P < 0.05). The noradrenaline infusion rate 24 hours after TP treatment decreased from 2 (1-4) to 1 (0-2.5) microg/kg/min (P < 0.05). Seven patients survived to the sepsis episode. The causes of death were refractory shock in three cases, withdrawal of therapy in two cases, refractory arrhythmia in three cases, and multiorgan failure in one case. Four of the survivors had sequelae: major amputations (lower limbs and hands) in one case, minor amputations (finger) in two cases, and minor neurological deficit in one case.

CONCLUSION

TP is an effective vasopressor agent that could be an alternative or complementary therapy in children with refractory vasodilatory septic shock. The addition of TP to high doses of catecholamines, however, can induce excessive vasoconstriction. Additional studies are needed to define the safety profile and the clinical effectiveness of TP in children with septic shock.

Rescue therapy with terlipressin by continuous infusion in a child with catecholamine-resistant septic shock

A 2-month-old female infant presented with septic shock, refractory to high doses of catecholamines. Continuous infusion of terlipressin at a rate of 10 mcg/kgh produced a significant increase in the mean arterial pressure that was evident within half and hour, so allowing a reduction in the rate of catecholamine infusion. However, 18 h later, the blood pressure fell again and finally the patient died. This case shows the potential value of terlipressin infusion to restore normal mean arterial pressure in children with vasodilatory shock and hypotension refractory to catecholamines.

Noninvasive techniques for measurements of cardiac output

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Measuring stroke volume or cardiac output is of paramount importance for the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, or 'high risk' surgical patients in the operating room. The new noninvasive techniques are gaining acceptance among intensivists and anesthesiologists who have been trained almost exclusively in the pulmonary artery catheter and the thermodilution technique.

RECENT FINDINGS

The present review focuses on the recent publications related to esophageal Doppler, Fick principle applied to carbon dioxide associated with partial rebreathing, and pulse contour analysis. Recent validation studies have confirmed the previous findings: all three methods provide reliable estimations of cardiac output and its variations. There is not a single method standing out and ruling out the others. Many investigators are now using one of the 'noninvasive' monitors to measure cardiac output in clinical or experimental studies.

SUMMARY

By making cardiac output easily measurable in various settings, these techniques should all contribute to improve hemodynamic management in critically ill or high-risk surgical patients.