Deep Breaths

Today's episode is the first in a series of three that focus on inotropic and vasopressor medications used within anaesthetic practice. During this episode, we discuss metaraminol, ephedrine, phenylephrine, noradrenaline and adrenaline.

There's one section of our episode where we thought it important to clarify what we're saying, as to out ears it sounds a little confusing. During our discussion about adrenaline, we state that both noradrenaline and adrenaline have the same affinity for beta-1 adrenoceptors. We then advise that the reason for the inotropic and chronotropic effects of adrenaline - not seen with noradrenaline - are because adrenaline has much greater affinity for beta-2 adrenaceptors than noradrenaline.

Resources for today's episode:

StatPearls:
Inotropes and vasopressors by D. VanValkinburgh et al.
Adrenergic Drugs by K. Farzam et al.

LITFL:
Inotropes, vasopressors and other vasoactive agents by C. Nickson
Metaraminol by R. Buttner
Phenylephrine by C. Nickson
Noradrenaline by C. Nickson
Adrenaline by C. Nickson

Deranged Physiology:
Classification of inotropes and vasopressors
Metaraminol
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline

DRUGBANK Online:
Metaraminol
Ephedrine
Phenylephrine
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline

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