Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review

Abstract Catecholamines, essential neurotransmitters and hormones, play a critical role in the body’s physiological response to stress and are pivotal in the management of various clinical conditions, particularly in critical care settings. This narrative review delves into the pharmacological prope...

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Main Authors: Jacopo Belfiore, Riccardo Taddei, Giandomenico Biancofiore
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-025-00241-2
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author Jacopo Belfiore
Riccardo Taddei
Giandomenico Biancofiore
author_facet Jacopo Belfiore
Riccardo Taddei
Giandomenico Biancofiore
author_sort Jacopo Belfiore
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Catecholamines, essential neurotransmitters and hormones, play a critical role in the body’s physiological response to stress and are pivotal in the management of various clinical conditions, particularly in critical care settings. This narrative review delves into the pharmacological properties of catecholamines, including their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Key clinical applications of catecholamines, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, are highlighted, emphasizing their roles in modulating heart rate, vascular tone, and immune responses during critical conditions such as sepsis and septic shock. Additionally, the review explores catecholamines’ immunomodulatory effects and their interactions with other therapeutic agents, such as corticosteroids, in the management of septic shock. Further research is suggested to optimize catecholamine usage and improve patient outcomes in critical care settings.
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series Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care
spelling doaj-art-39ef5c279cc649a29cdeebe6d592d2af2025-08-20T01:54:25ZengBMCJournal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care2731-37862025-04-01511910.1186/s44158-025-00241-2Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative reviewJacopo Belfiore0Riccardo Taddei1Giandomenico Biancofiore2Anesthesia and Transplant Intensive Care Unit, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of PisaAnesthesia and Transplant Intensive Care Unit, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of PisaAnesthesia and Transplant Intensive Care Unit, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of PisaAbstract Catecholamines, essential neurotransmitters and hormones, play a critical role in the body’s physiological response to stress and are pivotal in the management of various clinical conditions, particularly in critical care settings. This narrative review delves into the pharmacological properties of catecholamines, including their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Key clinical applications of catecholamines, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, are highlighted, emphasizing their roles in modulating heart rate, vascular tone, and immune responses during critical conditions such as sepsis and septic shock. Additionally, the review explores catecholamines’ immunomodulatory effects and their interactions with other therapeutic agents, such as corticosteroids, in the management of septic shock. Further research is suggested to optimize catecholamine usage and improve patient outcomes in critical care settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-025-00241-2Adrenergic receptorsToll-like receptorsCytokinesEndothelial dysfunctionImmunomodulatory effectCorticosteroids
spellingShingle Jacopo Belfiore
Riccardo Taddei
Giandomenico Biancofiore
Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care
Adrenergic receptors
Toll-like receptors
Cytokines
Endothelial dysfunction
Immunomodulatory effect
Corticosteroids
title Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
title_full Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
title_fullStr Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
title_short Catecholamines in sepsis: pharmacological insights and clinical applications—a narrative review
title_sort catecholamines in sepsis pharmacological insights and clinical applications a narrative review
topic Adrenergic receptors
Toll-like receptors
Cytokines
Endothelial dysfunction
Immunomodulatory effect
Corticosteroids
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-025-00241-2
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AT giandomenicobiancofiore catecholaminesinsepsispharmacologicalinsightsandclinicalapplicationsanarrativereview