Definition

Noun: 1. A substance or agent that causes vasoconstriction and raises blood pressure: A vasopressor is any chemical agent that acts on the blood vessels, causing them to constrict (narrow). This action increases resistance to blood flow, which typically results in an elevation of arterial blood pressure.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Norepinephrine is a potent vasopressor used in critical care to treat septic shock.
  • The patient's hypotension required the administration of a vasopressor to maintain adequate organ perfusion.
  • The study compared the efficacy of different vasopressors in managing anesthesia-induced low blood pressure.

Advanced Usage

• "Vasopressor support" or "Vasopressor therapy": This refers to the clinical use of these drugs, often via continuous intravenous infusion, to sustain blood pressure in critically ill patients.
  • The patient in the intensive care unit is on vasopressor support to stabilize his circulation.

Variants and Related Words

• Vasopressor activity (n): The specific effect or potency of an agent in causing vasoconstriction and raising blood pressure.
  • The drug's vasopressor activity was measured in the laboratory.
• Vasopressor-resistant hypotension (n): A clinical condition where low blood pressure does not respond adequately to standard doses of vasopressor medications.
  • Managing vasopressor-resistant hypotension presents a significant challenge.

Synonyms

• Pressor agent: A more general term for any agent that raises blood pressure.
• Vasoconstrictor: A term focusing specifically on the action of constricting blood vessels, which is the primary mechanism of a vasopressor.

Antonyms

• Vasodilator: An agent that causes blood vessels to widen (dilate), typically lowering blood pressure.
• Antihypertensive: An agent used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Noun

1. any agent that produces vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure (usually understood as increased arterial pressure)