The role of vasopressin and terlipressin in catecholamine-resistant shock in children: Review of the literature

Background and study purpose: Standard therapies for septic shock include fluid resuscitation and conventional inotropes. However, in progressed states of shock, cardio-circulatory failure may be unreponsive to conventional therapies secondary to profound vasoparalysis. Patients and methods: We performed a literature review to assess the use of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and terlipressin (TP) as a rescue therapy in the pediatric population with catecholamine-resistant shock or cardio-circulatory arrest. Results: 27 reports were found with a total of 422 patients; thirteen articles were descriptive case serie, 9…