Efficacy of milrinone combined with norepinephrine in improving hemodynamics and protecting liver/kidney function in patients with septic shock

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of milrinone combined with norepinephrine in the treatment of septic shock.

Methodology: Clinical data from one hundred patients with septic shock at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University between January 2022 and October 2025 were retrospectively collected. Patients treated with norepinephrine injection combined with milrinone composed the study group (n=53); patients who received norepinephrine injection alone were assigned to the control group (n=47). Hemodynamics, tissue perfusion, liver/kidney functions, prognosis, and adverse reactions were recorded in both groups.

Results: At 72 hours after treatment, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and heart rate (HR) were better in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Serum levels of lactate (Lac), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). The lengths of intensive care unit (ICU) and total hospital stays in the study group were shorter than those in the control group, and 28-day mortality was lower (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Milrinone combined with norepinephrine can improve the hemodynamic status of patients with septic shock; reduce tissue hypoperfusion and liver and kidney dysfunction; and decrease 28 days mortality.