The use of aramine in clinical shock.

Every case admitted to the First Division Medical Service, Kings County Hospital Center, in which the use of a vasopressor was indicated received Aramine.* In each case the drug was administered intravenously diluted in 1000 ml. of 5 per cent dextrose in water. Early in the study, 50 mg. of Aramine was diluted in 1000 ml. of 5 per cent dextrose in water. The infusion was initiated at a rate of 80 to 100 drops per minute, and then regulated according to the blood pressure response. If the response was inadequate after 10 minutes, another 25 mg. of Aramine was added to the infusion. By this method, it was soon found that a higher concentration of Aramine was both safe and preferable. Three hundred milligrams of Aramine per 1000 ml. of dextrose in water soon became the concentration of choice. The blood pressure was recorded every minute, for the first 5 to 10 minutes, then every 5 minutes until the blood pressure was maintained at the desired level, and finally recordings were made as indicated by the severity of the case and duration of treatment. In those cases in which the blood pressure did not respond quickly, norepinephrine was substituted.