Cardiac Anesthesia Resident Rotation
Dosing and Dilution of Perioperative Vasoactives
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*
*Bolus syringe may be taken from infusion bag then diluted to 8 mcg/mL
Milrinone
Infusion: 0.1-0.4 mcg/kg/min
Loading dose (used sometimes): 25-50 mcg/kg slow bolus
Norepinephrine
Infusion: 0.02-0.1 mcg/kg/min (approx. 1-10mcg/min)
Bolus: 4-8mcg bolus; prepare 20mL syringe @ 8 mcg/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: 1-20mg/hr
Bolus: 0.05-0.1mg bolus (0.05mg = 0.1mL); prepare undiluted 3mL 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, 10-25mcg bolus; prepare 20mL syringe @ 20 or 25mcg/mL
These dilutions and dosages are to be used as a guide and starting point.
If it is a new drug to you or you are uncertain, check with your attending before administration.
Stanford Cardiac Anesthesia, 2017
