• Inotropic support should only be provided after adequate fluid resuscitation
• Where possible use a large vein or central line for these agents to decrease the likelihood of extravasation
• Rule of 6's is a system in which the amount of drug in mg mixed in 100 mL final volume = Weight in Kg x 0.6
• This system provides an easy method to infuse solutions, where 1 mL/hr = 0.1 mcg/kg/min
• As an example, in a 10 kg child, 6 mg of drug would be mixed in 100 mL final volume (e.g. withdraw fluid from the 100 mL bag of fluid equal to the volume that 6 mg of drug will replace to make final volume = 100 mL) and to have 0.5 mcg/kg/min, the rate would equal 5 mL/hr
• The usual range of dosing for Epinephrine is 0.1-2 mcg/kg/min
• Beyond a patient weight of about 25 kgs, the concentration of the drug may exceed maximum recommended levels for infusion and standard concentrations rather than rule of 6's mixtures may be indicated

Common infusion rates:

• 1 mL/hr = 0.1 mcg/kg/min
• 2 mL/hr = 0.2 mcg/kg/min
• 2.5 mL/hr = 0.25 mcg/kg/min
• 5 mL/hr = 0.5 mcg/kg/min
• 7.5 mL/hr = 0.75 mcg/kg/min
• 10 mL/hr = 1 mcg/kg/min
• 15 mL/hr = 1.5 mcg/kg/min
• 20 mL/hr = 2.0 mcg/kg/min