Enteral Midodrine for Intravenous Vasopressor Weaning in Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Background: Enteral vasopressor therapies have been used to facilitate the weaning of intravenous (IV) vasopressors in critically ill patients. Studies have shown mixed results in the medically critically ill population; however, this practice is still common. The use of enteral vasopressors in the acute traumatic spinal cord injury is less well-described. Methods: This was a retrospective review of adult patients at a Level 1 trauma center. Adult patients were included if they were admitted to the trauma and surgical ICU for acute traumatic spinal cord injury; required hemodynamic support for more than 24 hours; and received concomitant administration of IV vasopressor(s) and midodrine. The primary endpoint was overall success in weaning of IV vasopressors and successful weaning at <24 and <48 hours after midodrine initiation. Secondary endpoints were bradycardic events and IV vasopressor-free days in patients with a defined mean arterial pressure (MAP) augmentation duration. Results: Out of 48 patients evaluated, 79.2% successfully weaned off IV vasopressors after the addition of midodrine, with 22.9% and 43.8% discontinuing IV vasopressors at <24 and <48 hours, respectively. Bradycardia occurred in 50% of patients, but only 8.3% required treatment. Among patients with a defined MAP goal duration, midodrine was associated with a median of 3 IV vasopressor-free days (interquartile range: 1-5). Conclusion: Enteral vasopressor therapy with midodrine can be used to facilitate weaning of IV vasopressor therapy in critically ill, acute traumatic spinal cord injury patients. Midodrine may also be beneficial in reducing IV vasopressor days in patients with MAP augmentation. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding.