The aim of this survey is to have a global picture of the use of vasopressin in patients with septic shock.
Vasopressin, a naturally occurring hormone, has gained attention because of its vasopressor activity in the management of patients with septic shock. Besides to its vasopressor activity, low-doses of vasopressin through V1 receptors activation also decrease pulmonary artery pressure and improve the renal function by inducing efferent vasoconstriction, resulting in a theoretical increase in glomerular renal perfusion pressure and thus higher glomerular filtration.
The last Surviving Sepsis Campaign suggested adding vasopressin to current vasopressor support in patients with septic shock with persistent shock. Current literature only gives low-quality evidence on such practice. The threshold for adding vasopressin remains unclear, and vasopressin could increase the risk of ischemia. Therefore, the place of vasopressin in the management of patients with septic shock is still debated with significant heterogeneity between ICUs, as the appropriate timing, dosage and duration of vasopressin therapy remain subjects of clinical debate