Peripheral line for vasopressor administration: Prospective multicenter observational cohort study for survival and safety

For decades, we’ve been told vasopressors belong only through central lines — but what if that’s not the whole story? In this episode, we unpack a groundbreaking multicenter study from Addis Ababa that dares to challenge convention.

Researchers followed 250 patients in shock, tracking survival outcomes, complications, and safety when vasopressors were given peripherally instead of through central access. The result? A strikingly low extravasation rate of just 1.2%, with all complications occurring only after five days of infusion. For short-term management, the data suggests — peripheral might be not only feasible, but safe.

We’ll explore what this means for critical care teams everywhere — especially in resource-limited settings where central access isn’t always an option. Is it time to rewrite the playbook for shock management? What are the risks, the predictors of survival, and the real-world tradeoffs?

Tune in as we dig into the data, the debates, and the bedside lessons from this landmark study — and ask the question every critical care clinician should be thinking about: Are we overcomplicating vasopressor delivery?

Science meets practicality. Evidence meets the frontline. And the future of shock resuscitation might just look a little different.