Terlipressin or norepinephrine in septic shock: do we have the answer?

Despite increased attention on prevention and early aggressive treatment with antibiotics and smart fluid resuscitation, there remains high morbidity and mortality from septic shock globally (1). Frequently septic patients develop persistent distributive shock that often requires vasopressor infusion to restore adequate mean arterial pressure (MAP) in order to provide adequate perfusion to critical organs and tissues. Although there are a variety of catecholamines available to increase blood pressure in these critically ill patients, the unmet need for additional therapies remains because of the persistently high morbidity and mortality of septic shock.