In mechanically ventilated patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of early mobilization, the use of vasoactive medications was independently associated with the development of ICU-acquired weakness.

Prospective trials to further evaluate this relationship are merited. On logistic regression analysis, the use of vasoactive medications increased the odds of developing ICU-acquired weakness independent of all other established risk factors for weakness.

Duration of vasoactive medication use (in days) and cumulative norepinephrine dose (μg/kg/d) were also independently associated with the outcome of ICU-acquired weakness.

This is a secondary analysis of mechanically ventilated patients (N = 172) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of early occupational and physical therapy vs conventional therapy, which evaluated the end point of ICU-acquired weakness on hospital discharge.

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