ICU Masterclass: Inotropes and Vasopressors

Emergency medicine and critical care

Video course

by Christopher R. Tainter, MD

Hemodynamic support for unstable patients can be a daunting process. In this course, you’ll learn a systematic, hands-on approach for the use of vasopressors and inotropes. You’ll discover why one size does not fit all and learn about the underlying mechanisms of action of these agents so you can safely and effectively use the appropriate agent for each unique patient.

1h 1m 41s

4 Quizzes

2 CME

What’s in it for you?

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After completing this course, you will be able to

Master a variety of vasopressors and inotropic agents
Identify the mechanism of action of these agents
Recognize the relative advantages and disadvantages of different agents
Choose an agent and dosage appropriate for any clinical scenario
Identify different types of shock and physiology
Use hemodynamic monitoring to direct therapy
Assess the efficacy of your interventions
Develop a rational approach to hemodynamic support

What's inside

Free

Chapter 1

Physiologic effects of vasoactive agents

In this chapter, you’ll learn about the mechanisms, applications, and targets of vasoactive agents as well as how to monitor vasoactivity.

7 lessons

11m 55s

Physiologic effects of vasoactive agents intro

21s

Introducing inotropes and vasopressors

2m 37s

Differentiating the types of shock

2m 12s

Performing vasoactive monitoring

2m 56s

Deciphering vasoactive receptors

2m 43s

Appreciating myocyte contraction

1m 6s

Physiologic effects of vasoactive agents quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 2

Inotropes and vasopressors

Know which vasoactive agent to use and when. Here, you’ll cover applications, administration, and dosing as well as pros and cons of each.

13 lessons

23m 9s

Inotropes and vasopressors intro

20s

Mastering catecholamine-based vasopressors

1m 33s

Grasping catecholamine-based inotropes

2m 1s

Appreciating indirect-acting agents

2m 26s

Reviewing vasopressin

2m 15s

Describing angiotensin II

1m 28s

Administering phosphodiesterase inhibitors

2m 2s

Using calcium-based agents for shock

3m 13s

Employing insulin and glucagon for shock

2m 21s

Using methylene blue and hydroxocobalamin for shock

1m 59s

Recognizing steroids as adjuncts to vasopressor therapy

1m 39s

Choosing parasympatholytic agents wisely

1m 52s

Inotropes and vasopressors quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 3

Special clinical situations

One size does not fit all when it comes to vasoactive agents. In this chapter, you’ll cover their use in specific clinical scenarios.

9 lessons

18m 8s

Special clinical situations intro

23s

Managing cardiogenic shock

2m 19s

Treating distributive shock

3m 16s

Handling valvular disease

1m 55s

Managing right ventricular dysfunction

3m 46s

Treating diastolic dysfunction

2m 56s

Augmenting mechanical circulatory support

1m 57s

Coping with toxic overdose

1m 36s

Special clinical situations quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 4

Putting it together

Wrap up the course with a lowdown on practical approaches for the use of inotropic and vasopressor agents and how to assess effectiveness.

6 lessons

8m 29s

Putting it together intro

24s

Approaching undifferentiated hypotension

2m 43s

Administering vasopressors

2m 14s

Assessing the effectiveness of your interventions

2m 28s

Putting it together quiz

Quiz

ICU Masterclass—Inotropes and Vasopressors outro

40s

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Teachers of this course

Christopher R. Tainter, MD

Dr. Tainter is an emergency medicine and critical care physician as well as a retired clinical professor from the Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, University of California San Diego (USCD).

Teacher Profile

Medmastery

Nora Drenaline

Emergency medicine and critical care

Claim your certificate

All members receive a certificate for completing this course. For Pro members, the certificate comes with 2 CME credits.

CME accredited

All our courses and workshops are fully CME accredited. We provide USA AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and European CME credits (ECMEC®s). Pro members can download their CME certificates upon successful completion of activities. Want to transfer these credits to your national system? No problem.

Learn how this works

CME at its best

Award-winning teaching method

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Medal
For outstanding digital education—Berlin 2013
Highly commended by the British Medical Association
Awarded in the digital category of the BMA Book Awards—London 2017
Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Seal
For outstanding digital education—Berlin 2017
Internationally accredited
CME accredited in the USA and EU with mutual recognition agreements in most other countries.
Trusted institutional partner
Used by residency programs and universities around the world to train their clinicians and students.
Top-rated by our learners
Rated excellent by hundreds of users on Trustpilot, an independent reviewing platform.

What’s in it for you?

Master the most important skills

Learn any skill in under 5 hours

Save time and money

After completing this course, you will be able to

What's inside

Physiologic effects of vasoactive agents

Inotropes and vasopressors

Special clinical situations

Putting it together

Claim your certificate

CME accredited

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Medal

Highly commended by the British Medical Association

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Seal

Internationally accredited

Trusted institutional partner

Top-rated by our learners