Vasopressors are commonly used in the treatment of shock to support blood pressure, cardiac output, and end-organ perfusion.

These agents are associated with risk of serious adverse effects including ischemia (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction, soft tissue necrosis), cardiac dysrhythmia, extravasation, acute kidney injury, increased duration of hospital stay, and higher mortality.

Their relatively short duration of action requires administration via intermittent bolus (primarily in the operating room [OR]) or continuous infusion (primarily in the emergency department [ED] and intensive care units [ICUs]).

Conventionally, the OR and pediatric ICUs utilize weight-based dosing, whereas adult ICUs more typically rely upon non-weight-based dosing.

These differences create potential discrepancies in transitions of care (i.e., OR to ICU) and inconsistencies in dosing strategies within the same units, patient populations, and institutions.

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