Phenylephrine

General 

• MOA:  alpha 1-agonist resulting in vasoconstriction 

Pharmacologic Category

• Therapeutic: inotropics, vasopressors
  
• Pharmacologic: alpha and beta agonist  
  

Dosing

• IV bolus: 50-100 mcg
• IV infusion: 50-200 mcg/min
  

Indications

• Hypotension due to peripheral vasodilation - ex. septic shock 
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• Recall that cardiac output = HR x Stroke Volume  
• A sudden increased in stroke volume leads to reflex vagal stimulation (baro reflex) resulting in bradycardia and termination of the arrhythmia;
• Phenylephrine treats both the hypotension and the arrhythmia.
• Right-to-left shunting during acute cyanotic spells in tetralogy of Fallot

Review

In this song, I use basketball players as a metaphor for vasopressors and inotropes used in critical care medicine. Their jersey numbers reflect their maximum dose. Their position reflects how they should be administered, central vs. peripheral. The song is filled with many homonyms, so that each time you listen you may discover something new. On the right side of the screen, I reveal these meanings as the song progresses