An antihypotensive, also known as vasopressor, is an agent that raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, thereby increasing systemic vascular resistance.
This is different from inotropes which increase the force of cardiac contraction.
[medical citation needed] Blood products should only be used if reduced oxygen carrying capacity or coagulopathy is present.
[medical citation needed] Other causes of either absolute (dehydration, loss of plasma via wound/burns) or relative (third space losses) vascular volume depletion also respond, although blood products are only indicated if significantly anemic.
Antihypotensive agents can be classified as follows:[citation needed]