vasopressors increase vascular tone, resulting in raised mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic vascular resistance.
inotropes are drugs that increase the force and velocity of myocardial contraction resulting in increased contractility and stroke volume, and therefore cardiac output.
inotropes and vasopressors are used in the Mx of shock such as sepsis / septicaemia
most agents have varying effects depending upon their dose given the variation in their activity on the various receptors
effects may also occur due to reflex actions, eg. reflex bradycardia with lowered cardiac output may occur with agents that cause hypertension.
excessive vasoconstriction due to use of vasopressors results in inadequate tissue perfusion of the extremities, mesenteric organs and kidneys.
alpha 1, beta 1 and some beta 2 activity - high doses cause vasoconstriction to prevail over beta 2 agonist skeletal muscle vasodilatation. Inotrope, chronotrope activity.