title: Avoidance of vascular complications associated with the use of dopamine.
abstract: Dopamine, dihydroxyphenylethylamine has three distinct actions depending on dosage. Low doses in the range of 1-2 mcg/kg/min result in vasodilatation. Medium doses of 2-10 mcg/kg/min increase cardiac output due to beta adrenergic action, while above 10 mcg/kg/min a potent vasoconstrictor effect predominates. Because of this last action great care must be used to avoid extravasation of infusions of dopamine directly into the tissue. Dopamine is a very useful agent but carries great potential to do local damage. Administration through a catheter placed into a large vein is recommended. Should extravasation occur, prompt infiltration of the area with phentolamine and a local anaesthetic, local cooling and regional sympathetic block may reduce the damage. The case is reported of a patient who suffered extensive necrosis in the forearm following local extravasation of dopamine.
mesh_terms: D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005734:Gangrene / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004298:Dopamine