Dosing and Dilution of Perioperative Vasoactives
These dilutions and dosages are to be used as a guide.If it is a new drug to you or you are uncertain, check with your attending.
Inotropes and Vasopressors
Dopamine
Infusion: 1-5 mcg/kg/min
Dobutamine
Infusion: 0.5-20 mcg/kg/min
Epinephrine
Infusion: 0.01-0.15 mcg/kg/min
Bolus: 5-10mcg bolus; prepare 10-20mL syringe @ 10mcg/mL
Milrinone
Infusion: 0.1-0.4 mcg/kg/min
Loading dose (used sometimes): 20-50mcg/kg slow bolus
Norepinephrine
Infusion: 0.02-0.1 mcg/kg/min (approx. 1-10mcg/min)
Bolus: 4-8mcg bolus; prepare 10mL syringe @ 8mcg/mL
Phenylephrine
Infusion: 0.2-1 mcg/kg/min
Bolus: 100-200mcg bolus; prepare 10-20mL syringe @ 100mcg/mL
Vasopressin
Infusion: 0.01-0.04 units/min
Bolus: 0.5-1 unit bolus; prepare 10-20ml syringe @ 1 unit/ml
Vasodilators
Clevidipine
Infusion: 1-16 mg/hr
Bolus: 0.05-0.1mg bolus (0.05mg = 0.1mL); prepare undiluted 1mL syringe
Nicardipine
Infusion: 1-15 mg/hr
Bolus: 50-100mcg bolus; prepare 10mL syringe @ 100mcg/mL
Nitroglycerin
Infusion: 0.2-2 mcg/kg/min
Bolus: 50-100mcg boluses; prepare 20mL syringe @ 50mcg/mL
Nitroprusside
Infusion: 0.1-2 mcg/kg/min
Bolus: rarely used. If necessary, 10-20mcg bolus; prepare 10mL syringe @ 10mcg/mL