Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Norepinephrine (NE) is mostly used to treat severe hypotension. However, NE has potentially adverse vasoconstrictive effects on regional vascular beds of kidney, liver, and gut, with a potential for ensuing organ dysfunction. NE therefore is considered as a last reserve in otherwise refractory hypotension. ⋯ Therefore, the doses of NE needed to maintain or restore blood pressure may be extremely high. Surprisingly, no adverse vasoconstriction with subsequent hypoperfusion occurs during sepsis, despite the high doses of NE administered. Instead, NE rather causes an increase in blood flow and oxygen delivery.