Description
Renal range dopamine's value was assessed in 15 hypotensive canines using an endotoxin shock model and concurrent pharmacological pressor support. The dogs were prospectively randomized into three treatment groups (fluid resuscitation, fluid and norepinephrine, and fluid, norepinephrine and renal range dopamine). The two groups treated with norepinephrine showed no statistical difference between their pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systolic blood pressure, and systemic vascular resistance. Cardiac index was slightly increased in the dopamine group (P less than 0.001). Creatinine clearance and renal blood flow were found to have no differences with or without renal range dopamine infusing in either group (P = 0.39 and P = 0.45, respectively). These findings suggest that renal range dopamine is not efficacious with concurrent alpha sympathetic agents for augmentation of renal function or flow in the hypotensive experimental model.