The following is a summary of “Angiotensin II for the Treatment of Refractory Shock: A Matched Analysis,” published in the June 2023 issue of Critical Care by Smith et al.

Researchers performed a retrospective study to investigate the efficacy of angiotensin II in improving outcomes in patients with refractory shock and secondary outcomes such as organ dysfunction and adverse events. 

A retrospective matched analysis was conducted on 813 adult shock patients admitted to ICUs in a large, university-based hospital. 

Patients were matched with historical and concurrent controls who received equivalent doses of non-angiotensin II vasopressors. Angiotensin II showed no association with 30-day mortality (60% vs 56%; P= 0.292) or 90-day mortality (65% vs 63%; P= 0.440). It did not affect changes in organ failure scores, kidney replacement therapy rates (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.88–2.19; P= 0.158), mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.41–5.51; P= 0.539), or thrombotic events was similar between angiotensin II and control patients (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.71–1.48; P= 0.912).

Study concluded that Angiotensin II was not found to be effective in improving mortality or organ function in patients with severe shock. It also did not increase the risk of adverse events.

Source: journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/9900/Angiotensin_II_for_the_Treatment_of_Refractory.178.aspx