Current Emergency Medical Service Vasoactive Use for the Management of Shock.

Jason E Bloom; Vishal Goel; David Anderson; Susie Cartledge; Ziad Nehme; Jocasta Ball; Amminadab Eliakundu; William Chan; Derek P Chew; David M Kaye; Dion Stub
Abstract
We sought to describe the indications for vasoactive medication administration, hemodynamic treatment targets, and specific agents used by various international emergency medical service (EMS) providers. In March 2022, we sent an online survey comprising of 20 questions to Medical Directors of EMSs across Australia, the Asia Pacific region, and North America. A total of 108 EMS directors were emailed an invitation to participate. None. Twenty-five EMS medical directors responded. Local site guidelines for vasoactive agent administration were available to 77.3% of providers. Epinephrine was commonly used as first-line vasoactive agent in 52% of questionnaire respondents, followed by norepinephrine (22%), dopamine (18%), and metaraminol (4%). Epinephrine was the most commonly used vasoactive agent across all forms of shock, with a higher proportion of utilization in cases of cardiogenic shock (58%) and patients suffering shock following cardiac arrest (56%). International EMS vasoactive use in the management of shock is heterogeneous. Future randomized controlled trials should aim to elucidate optimal prehospital treatment strategies for shock, including the initiation, choice of agent, and monitoring of vasoactive medication.
Journal CRITICAL CARE EXPLORATIONS
ISSN 2639-8028
Published 01 Dec 2024
Volume 6
Issue 12
Pages e1177
DOI 10.1097/CCE.0000000000001177
Type Journal Article
Sponsorship