Continuous Infusion of Terlipressin in Septic Shock

Forty-five septic shock patients requiring vasopressor support to maintain mean arterial pressure between 65 and 75 mmHg despite adequate volume resuscitation were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to be treated with either a) a continuous terlipressin infusion (1.3 µg•kg-1), b) vasopressin (0.03 U•min-1), or c) titrated norepinephrine (control; each n = 15). In both the terlipressin and vasopressin group, norepinephrine was additionally administered to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 65 and 75 mmHg, if necessary. Data from right heart catheterization, thermo-dye dilution catheter, gastric tonometry as well as data from organ function, cytokines concentrations, were obtained at baseline and after 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours.