What vascular effect does epinephrine have?

What vascular effect does epinephrine have?

• A. Vasoconstriction
• B. Vasodilation
• C. No vascular effect
• D. Only venous dilation

Answer: (A)

Epinephrine’s vascular action is dominated by vasoconstriction from alpha-1 receptor activation on vascular smooth muscle. This constricts arteries and arterioles, increasing systemic vascular resistance and helping raise blood pressure in situations like anaphylaxis or during local anesthesia. There is also beta-2–mediated vasodilation possible in some beds (such as skeletal muscle) at certain doses, but the overall, most consistent vascular response is constriction. So the best description is vasoconstriction. It isn’t simply no effect, nor is it limited to venous dilation; the arterial constriction is a key part of its vascular action.

Epinephrine’s vascular action is dominated by vasoconstriction from alpha-1 receptor activation on vascular smooth muscle. This constricts arteries and arterioles, increasing systemic vascular resistance and helping raise blood pressure in situations like anaphylaxis or during local anesthesia. There is also beta-2–mediated vasodilation possible in some beds (such as skeletal muscle) at certain doses, but the overall, most consistent vascular response is constriction. So the best description is vasoconstriction. It isn’t simply no effect, nor is it limited to venous dilation; the arterial constriction is a key part of its vascular action.