Norepinephrine in shock treatment: Current recommendations and new perspectives <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Objectives: To review the main aspects of the use of norepinephrine for treatment of shock, especially in children. Source of data: Bibliographic review in the database MEDLINE using the terms norepinephrine, shock, sepsis and early use. Summary of the findings: Norepinephrine has been used as complementary treatment of shock, in patients in whom the response to the volumetric expansion was not satisfactory. Experimental studies from the last decade have encouraged the early use of this drug for shock treatment, with satisfactory results concerning the best perfusion of organs and lesser need of fluids to maintain renal function. Conclusions: Many doubts remain about the clinical utility of the early use of norepinephrine in shock, especially in the pediatric population. More studies are requested, in special prospective and randomized trials. Nevertheless, there is already evidence about the security of the use of norepinephrine, which do not increase the risk of renal ischemia. KEY WORDS: NOREPINEPHRINE/therapeutic use; SHOCK/ drug therapy; SHOCK/prevention & control; SEPSIS/drug therapy; SEPSIS/prevention & control; CHILD.