Clinical Experience with Angiotensin II in the Treatment of Shock

The effects of using angiotensin in the treatment of shock from various causes were studied in 21 patients. The blood pressure returned to normal in every instance excepting 6 patients who were moribund when treatment was begun. Of 6 patients who were in advanced bacteremic shock and whose prognosis was considered hopeless, 4 survived as did one with severe shock associated with postoperative intracranial bleeding and two with severe barbiturate poisoning. Angiotensin was also used in treating 10 patients in whom hypotension appeared in the course of dialysis by an artificial kidney. Six survived. In this series of cases angiotensin produced no side effects of any sort.