Use of pressor therapy in 34 hypotensive critically ill neonatal foals.

In simple terms, this research examined the use of two types of therapy, Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and Norepinephrine (NE), on foals suffering from low blood pressure, in a neonatal intensive care setting. The results suggested both therapies could effectively increase blood pressure.

Introduction

• The study is a retrospective look into the treatment of critically ill, hypotensive (low blood pressure) foals, carried out at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center from 2000 to 2007. Foals in this study were all neonates – less than seven days old.
• Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and norepinephrine (NE) are treatment therapies used conventionally in human medicine to handle vasodilatory shock and cardiac arrest. Their use in treating equine neonates is not widespread, primarily due to concerns over potential side effects and questions about their efficacy.

Methodology

• This research involved a review of medical records to garner data on cardiovascular responses like mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, and fluid balance (urinary output) in these critically ill foals.
• The main aim was to understand whether the administration of either NE or AVP can result in improved health markers in these foals.

Findings

• Administration of exogenous AVP infusion resulted in a noteworthy increase in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and urinary output, along with a significant decrease in heart rate.
• Simultaneously, NE administration also resulted in a remarkable rise in MAP.

Conclusions

• This research’s findings provide the first report addressing the clinical treatment techniques for hypotensive foals, showing promising potential for both AVP and NE therapies.
• As both therapies yielded significant increases in blood pressure, the study ultimately lends support to their use in managing critically ill, hypotensive neonatal foals.