Weigh Options When Choosing Pressors for Septic Shock

Questions will come up about which pressor to add when patients with septic shock aren't responding to norepinephrine.

Lean toward adding a second pressor when the norepinephrine dose nears 0.3 mcg/kg/min...BEFORE reaching the max dose...to minimize side effects, such as arrhythmias. Doses over 1 mcg/kg/min are associated with high mortality.

There's not a "one-size-fits-all" approach when using pressors to treat septic shock. Consider these factors when adding a second pressor.