title: Fenoldopam improves renal hemodynamics impaired by positive end-expiratory pressure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can impair renal hemodynamics. Fenoldopam, a dopamine receptor agonist, has been shown, in animal experiments, to improve renal perfusion. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of this agent on altered renal hemodynamics secondary to positive pressure ventilation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients requiring mechanical ventilation of their lungs and PEEP for the treatment of hypoxemia after multiple trauma or visceral surgery were studied. Hemodynamic variables, renal vascular resistance, urine flow, creatinine, inulin and PAH clearance, and excretion of sodium and potassium (NaE and KE) were measured before and after introduction of a level of PEEP high enough to decrease urine flow rate by 25% or more, and after administration of intravenous fenoldopam.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No hemodynamic effect resulted from 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1, but 0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 fenoldopam decreased both diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure from 66 +/- 37 (mean +/- SEM) to 57 +/- 21 mmHg, and from 83 +/- 3 to 74 +/- 4 mmHg, respectively. Renal vascular resistance was reduced from 54 +/- 12 to 19 +/- 5 dynes.s.cm-5 at 0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. Fenoldopam produced a dose-related increase in renal blood flow and PAH clearance. With 0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 fenoldopam, urine flow increased from 81 +/- 25 to 116 +/- 29 ml/h, NaE from 28 +/- 7 to 85 +/- 70 microM/min, and KE from 65 +/- 12 to 109 +/- 16 microM/min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study indicate that intravenous fenoldopam at a dose of 0.2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 improves renal hemodynamics and increases Na and K excretion in patients requiring mechanical ventilation of their lungs and PEEP. These effects are probably caused by an increased kidney perfusion secondary to renal artery vasodilation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Poinsot
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Romand
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Favre
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Suter
mesh_terms: D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D018818:Fenoldopam; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014556:Urine
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents; D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; D018818:Fenoldopam