Differential effects of dobutamine, dopamine, and noradrenaline on splanchnic haemodynamics and oxygenation in the pig

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Abstract
Supranormal oxygen (O2) transport may benefit critically ill patients. Catecholamines are clinically employed for this purpose. However, their effects on splanchnic haemodynamics and oxygenation are not well defined. The effects of dobutamine (DOBU), dopamine (DOPA), and noradrenaline (NA) on splanchnic blood flows (electromagnetic flow probes), O2deliveries and uptakes (catheterisation of portal and hepatic veins) were studied in nine anaesthetised (ketamine/flunitrazepam), ventilated, paralysed, and laparotomised pigs. All three catecholamines (DOPA at 15 μg·kg‐1· min‐1, DOBU at 13 μg · kg‐1· min‐1, NA at 0.4 μg · kg‐1· min‐1) significantly (P2delivery. Only DOPA increased small intestinal and total hepatic blood flows, and O2deliveries, and decreased O2extractions. The same parameters did not change during DOBU. During NA, total hepatic blood flow and O2delivery decreased, and hepatic O2extraction increased. During all three catecholamines, small intestinal and total hepatic O2uptakes did not change significantly. Whereas hepatic arterial blood flow decreased during both DOPA and NE, portal venous flow increased during DOPA. These data suggest that in the experimental model used splanchnic O2supply and O2reserve capacity appear improved by DOPA, unaffected by DOBU, and impaired by NA.