Adverse cardiodynamic effects of vasopressin not avoided by selective intra-arterial administration

In this study, lysine-vasopressin, administered either as a continuous, intravenous infusion (1 unit/kg/hour) or as a selective infusion into the superior mesenteric artery (0.2 unit/minute), produced equal (↓25%), significant (p < 0.05), and sustained (60 minute) reductions in portal pressure. Compared to intravenous administration, selective intra-arterial infusion of vasopressin resulted in similar reductions in cardiac output (↓38%), myocardial contractility (↓23%), and coronary flow (↓53%). Since these adverse cardiodynamic effects were not avoided by selective intra-arterial infusion, it would appear that administration of vasopressin as a continuous infusion through a peripheral vein remains the most rapid and practical method of administering the drug.