Angiotensin-II for Vasoplegia Following Cardiac Surgery

Introduction: The objective of this study was to describe the implementation and outcomes of a protocol outlining angiotensin-II utilization for vasoplegia following cardiac surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review at a single-center university hospital. Included patients received angiotensin-II for vasoplegia refractory to standard interventions, including norepinephrine 20 mcg/min and vasopressin 0.04 units/min, following cardiac surgery between April 2021 and April 2022.

Results: 30 patients received angiotensin-II for refractory vasoplegia. Adjunctive agents at angiotensin-II initiation included corticosteroids (26 patients; 87%), epinephrine (26 patients; 87%), dobutamine (17 patients; 57%), dopamine (9 patients; 30%), milrinone (2 patients; 7%), and hydroxocobalamin (4 patients; 13%). At 3 hours, the median mean arterial pressure increased from baseline (70 vs 61.5 mmHg, = .0006). Median norepinephrine doses at angiotensin-II initiation, 1 hour, 3 hours, and angiotensin-II discontinuation were 0.22, 0.16 ( = .0023), 0.10 ( < .0001), and 0.07 ( < .0001) mcg/kg/min. Median dobutamine doses decreased throughout angiotensin-II infusion from eight to six mcg/kg/min ( = .0313). Other vasoactive medication doses were unchanged. Three patients (10%) subsequently received hydroxocobalamin. Thirteen (43.3%) and five (16.7%) patients experienced mortality by day 28 and venous or arterial thrombosis events, respectively.

Conclusions: The administration of angiotensin-II to vasoplegic patients following cardiac surgery was associated with increased mean arterial pressure, reduced norepinephrine dosages, and reduced dobutamine dosages.