What are "vasoactive drips"?

[Nolander]

I've been hearing this a lot and especially that they are used in the ICU a lot. I was told CRNA's need a lot of experience with these. I'll be honest and say I have no idea what a vasoactive drip even is but it sounds really interesting and I was looking to see if you guys had an answer as I don't even know where to start (I googled the phrase to no avail, lol). Thanks guys.

[rn/writer, RN]

Google "vasoactive medication." I got pages of hits.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Think of "vaso" as in vascular system. Vaso-active medications affect the vascular system in order to control heart rate/rhythm and blood pressure. They are used in the ICUs when patients cannot maintain stable blood pressure or heart rate/rhythm on their own.

A "drip" is a word used to describe when we give a medication at a continuous rate (usually a certain amount per minute) in order to control the blood pressure, heart rate, etc. We can adjust drips frequently by slightly increasing or decreasing the dose in order to maintain the desired vital signs.

By the way, I googled the word "vasoactive" and got several results that answered your question.

[Nolander]

Think of "vaso" as in vascular system. Vaso-active medications affect the vascular system in order to control heart rate/rhythm and blood pressure. They are used in the ICUs when patients cannot maintain stable blood pressure or heart rate/rhythm on their own.

A "drip" is a word used to describe when we give a medication at a continuous rate (usually a certain amount per minute) in order to control the blood pressure, heart rate, etc. We can adjust drips frequently by slightly increasing or decreasing the dose in order to maintain the desired vital signs.

By the way, I googled the word "vasoactive" and got several results that answered your question.

That sounds a lot like titration, are they one in the same?

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Titration is what you do in response to how the pt is reacting to the drip.. If say the pt is on levo for low bp and you are at say 10mcg and you are still not getting the desired pressure, you will titrate up until you get what you need. Many of these drugs have a max dose, if you reach the max with little response from the pt you will need to add another drip.

[mlykateRN]

homework

[amoLucia]

homework

YUP...what I was thinking.

[XingtheBBB, BSN, RN]

yeah... and this is why nurses need ICU experience before even thinking of applying to an anestheisa program.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

yeah... and this is why nurses need ICU experience before even thinking of applying to an anestheisa program.

Agree ... how can one decide to pursue nurse anesthesia without understanding what it is that they do ... or why experience requirements are what they are?

Google result for phrase "vasoactive drips":

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=1&cp=15&gs_id=1s&xhr=t&q=vasoactive+drips&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=vasoactive+drip&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=bb1985a4b0dff75f&biw=1279&bih=754

[meatballexperience]

I'm pretty sure its just a fancy name for a nosebleed

[sublimeaurora]

This website is a GREAT resource if you have questions about any of the aspects of ICU nursing. It has Word documents that you can download for free so you can read them anytime. There's a section specifically about "Pressors and Vasoactives." All of the material is written by an RN who's been at the ICU bedside for a while. Hopefully, you'll find it very helpful! Good luck!

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[CHESCCRP]

Wow, that was fascinating! I am a student about to start my first semester, but I used to do cardiology research. That site is supremely helpful, and I will know to reference it if I pursue ICU nursing. Thank you for sharing!