Vasopressin decreases pulmonary-to-systemic vascular resistance ratio in a porcine model of severe hemorrhagic shock.

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Vasopressors are gaining renewed interest as treatment adjuncts in hemorrhagic shock. The ideal vasoconstrictor will increase systemic blood pressure without increasing pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which hinders pulmonary perfusion and exacerbates hypoxemia. However, the selectivity of pressors for pulmonary versus systemic vasoconstriction during hemorrhage has not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that vasopressin (VP) has distinct effects on pulmonary versus systemic hemodynamics, unlike the catecholamine vasopressors norepinephrine (NE) and phenylephrine (PE). Anesthetized and ventilated pigs were assigned to resuscitation with saline only (n = 7) or saline with VP (n = 6), NE (n = 6), or PE (n = 6). Animals were hemorrhaged to a target volume of 30 mL/kg and a mean arterial pressure of 35 mmHg. One hour after the start of hemorrhage, animals were resuscitated with saline up to one shed blood volume, followed by either additional saline or a vasopressor. Hemodynamics and oxygenation were measured hourly for 4 h after the start of hemorrhage. Vasopressin increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) while sparing the pulmonary vasculature, leading to a 45% decrease in the PVR/SVR ratio compared with treatment with PE. Conversely, NE induced pulmonary hypertension and led to an increased PVR/SVR ratio associated with decreased oxygen saturation. Phenylephrine and crystalloid had no significant effect on the PVR/SVR ratio. Sparing of pulmonary vasoconstriction occurs only with VP, not with administration of crystalloid or catecholamine pressors. The ability of VP to maintain blood oxygenation indicates that VP may prevent hypoxemia in the management of hemorrhagic shock.