Vasopressors
Vasopressors
Vasopressors (pronounced: vaso-press-ors, /ˈveɪzoʊˌprɛsər/) are a group of medicines that tighten blood vessels and increase blood pressure. They are used in emergency situations to treat low blood pressure (hypotension) that can occur in conditions such as septic shock, cardiogenic shock, or anaphylaxis.
Etymology
The term "vasopressor" is derived from the Latin words "vaso" meaning vessel and "pressor" meaning pressure. It refers to the drug's ability to constrict (tighten) blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.
Related Terms
- Hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure.
- Septic shock: A severe infection that causes low blood pressure and organ failure.
- Cardiogenic shock: A condition where the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Anaphylaxis: A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause low blood pressure.
- Vasoconstriction: The narrowing of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.
Usage
Vasopressors are typically administered intravenously in a hospital setting. They work by stimulating the muscles in the walls of small arteries and veins to tighten, which increases the resistance to blood flow and raises blood pressure. Commonly used vasopressors include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine.
Side Effects
Like all medications, vasopressors can have side effects. These can include rapid heart rate (tachycardia), irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and decreased blood flow to the extremities. It's important to monitor patients closely when administering these medications.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vasopressors
- Wikipedia's article - Vasopressors
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski