Vasopressor Initiation via Peripheral IV: Current Practice, Outcomes

Historically, clinicians have avoided infusing vasopressors by peripheral intravenous catheter for fear of extravasation and tissue necrosis, but recent guidelines suggest that vasopressors can be initiated peripherally to avoid treatment delays when a central venous catheter (CVC) is not immediately available. To take a closer look at how clinicians are initially administering vasopressors and the associated outcomes, researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the CLOVERS trial, in which 582 adults with sepsis-induced hypotension received vasopressors within 24 hours of presentation and initially lacked central access.