Peripheral Vasopressor Use in Early Sepsis-Induced Hypotension
Authors' conclusion
In this prospective cohort study of the CLOVERS trial, peripheral administration of vasopressors was common and was associated with low complication rates.
Study context
- Population
- Patients in CLOVERS with early sepsis-induced hypotension who received vasopressors within 24 hours of enrollment and had no central venous access at enrollmentof 1563 in CLOVERS
- Participants
- 582 patients
- Comparison
- Peripheral vs central route of vasopressor initiation
- Peripheraln = 490
- Centraln = 92reference
- Primary endpoint
- Route of vasopressor initiation and associated factors
Methodological detailsprospective cohort, multicentre (60 US hospitals), Data analyzed January 2023 to June 2025; CLOVERS conducted March 2018 to February 2022
- Prospective cohort
- Multicentre (60 US hospitals)
- Data analyzed January 2023 to June 2025; CLOVERS conducted March 2018 to February 2022
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Factors associated with route of initiation
- Study site the only factor independently associated with route of initiation
- median OR 3.48 (95% CI 1.57-5.38)
Further findings
| Outcome | Peripheral | Central | aOR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90-day mortality · statistically comparable · adjusted analysis | 26.1% | 37.0% | 0.67 (0.39–1.16) | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
- Peripheral vasopressors continued beyond 6 hours
- 68.0% · 333 of 490
- Peripheral vasopressors continued beyond 6 hours: 333 of 490
Safety
- Peripheral vasopressor complications · 28 days
- 0.6% · 3 of 490
- Peripheral vasopressor complications — Rare and low-grade; no ulceration or tissue injury
- 0
- Peripheral vasopressor complications: 3 of 490
Central venous catheter (CVC) placement complications (CVCs placed in first 72 hours) · 28 days
- Complications from CVC placement
- 14
- Patients with complications, of 322 with CVCs
- 12 (3.7%)
Original publication
Peripheral Vasopressor Use in Early Sepsis-Induced Hypotension. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →