Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 1, 1-9, Copyright © 1954 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

The Use of Sympathomimetic Amines in the Treatment of Shock

¹ Department of Pharmacology, University of British Columbia

1. The salient features of the various conditions grouped under the heading of "shock" have been briefly considered. Broadly speaking, the principal feature which these conditions share in common is a persistent hypotension the proximate cause of which may be either cardiac or peripheral.

2. The action of the sympathomimetic amines on the cardiac and peripheral vascular mechanisms has been discussed, with particular reference to epinephrine and nor-epinephrine.

3. On the basis of the present experimental evidence we cannot as yet be sure that the use of sympathomimetic amines in the treatment of shock may not be actually harmful rather than beneficial to some patients. It is suggested, therefore, that its use be reserved for clinical investigation, or for patients who are in profound shock, who fail to respond to extensive fluid replacement or other therapeutic procedures, and whose prognosis therefore is very grave under any circumstances.

Note:

Presented at a meeting of the British Columbia Division, Canadian Anaesthetists' Society, January, 1954.