title: Understanding renal dose dopamine.
abstract: Low-dose dopamine is a widely administered drug used often in critical care settings to prevent or treat patients with low urinary output. There are new data to support that low-dose dopamine may have side effects and not always increase renal perfusion to the kidneys. This article is a review of the current use of low-dose dopamine, the role of dopamine in the kidneys, and the potential risks of infusing this drug to patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City 66160-7502, USA.
authors.forename: Janet D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Clancy
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D012964:Sodium; D004298:Dopamine