Haemodynamic effects of different doses of dopexamine hydrochloride in low cardiac output states following cardiac surgery
- 1 September 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in European Heart Journal
- Vol. 13 (9) , 1271-1276
- https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a060348
Abstract
We studied the haemodynamic effects of dopexamine hydrochloride, a β2-adrenergic agonist with dopaminergic (DA1) activity, in 20 patients with low cardiac output following surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve replacement or repair. Following titration of four doses (1, 2, 4 and 6 μg. kg−1. min−1), the dose producing the optimal response was infused for up to 48 h (five patients). During the infusion, significant increases in cardiac index and stroke volume were accompanied by significant decreases in systemic vascular resistance. Heart rate increased significantly up to 6 h and thereafter returned to control levels. Mean blood pressure was reduced but did not fall below 60 mmHg. However, in five patients treated for 48 h mean blood pressure had returned to control levels. Unwanted effects (tachycardia and hypotension) were seen chiefly at higher doses, leading us to conclude that infusion rates of 4 μg . kg−1. min−1 or less will be useful in the treatment of low cardiac output following cardiac surgery.Keywords
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