Critical Care Infusion Calculator (mcg/kg/min ↔ mL/hr)
Calculates infusion pump rate (mL/hr) for vasopressors/inotropes ordered in mcg/kg/min.
⚠️ Educational Calculation & Clinical Safety Safeguard: HIGH-ALERT MEDICATION: Vasopressor infusions require dedicated line/lumen, continuous haemodynamic monitoring, and independent double-check. Educational calculations do not replace clinician assessment, patient-specific laboratory monitoring, or institutional prescribing protocols.
Interactive Calculator
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 0.01 to 100 mcg/kg/min
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 1 to 250 kg
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 0.1 to 5000 mg
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 1 to 1000 mL
Calculated Output (mL/hr (and mcg/mL))
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Step-by-Step Mathematical Derivation & Explanation:
Validated Formula & Conversion Rules
Concentration (mcg/mL) = [Drug (mg) × 1000] / Volume (mL); Rate (mL/hr) = [Dose (mcg/kg/min) × Weight (kg) × 60] / Concentration (mcg/mL)Worked Clinical Example
Dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient using 200 mg in 250 mL (800 mcg/mL): Rate = (5 × 70 × 60) / 800 = 21000 / 800 = 26.25 mL/hr.
Rounding Rules, Clinical Interpretation, Assumptions & Known Limitations
- 1. Purpose: Calculates infusion pump rate (mL/hr) for vasopressors/inotropes ordered in mcg/kg/min.
- 2. Required Inputs & Validated Units: Ordered Infusion Dose (mcg/kg/min, range 0.01–100), Patient Weight (kg, range 1–250), Drug Amount in Bag/Syringe (mg, range 0.1–5000), Total Diluent Bag/Syringe Volume (mL, range 1–1000)
- 3. Output Unit:
mL/hr (and mcg/mL) - 4. Result Interpretation Notes: Converts weight-based critical-care infusion orders (mcg/kg/min) into volumetric pump rate (mL/hr).
- 5. Rounding Guidance: Program smart syringe/infusion pumps to 0.1 mL/hr precision.
- 6. Mathematical & Clinical Assumptions: Assumes standard ICU syringe/bag dilution (mg in mL converted to mcg/mL).
- 7. Known Limitations & Contraindications to Formula Use: Always perform an independent two-pharmacist/nurse double-check for vasopressor and inotrope pump programming.
- 8. Supporting Compendial & Clinical References: Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2022), National Formulary of India (NFI), British National Formulary (BNF), and NCBI Bookshelf Clinical Pharmacology Compendia.