Heterogeneity of the vasoconstrictor effect of vasopressin in septic shock.

Objective: To determine whether pressor doses of vasopressin impair organ blood flow in endotoxic shock.

Design: Graded doses of vasopressin or phenylephrine, starting at the clinically recommended doses for pressure support in septic shock, were intravenously infused during endotoxic shock.

Setting: University hospital surgical research laboratory.