title: Hemodynamics and renal function during administration of low-dose dopamine in severely ill patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although a large number of studies have been performed regarding the renal and hemodynamic effects of the infusion of low-dose dopamine (LDD) in severely ill patients, there is still controversy on this subject.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of dopamine (2 microg/kg/min) on systemic hemodynamics (lowest mean arterial pressure, MAP, highest heart rate, HR, central venous pressure, CVP), creatinine clearance (CLcr), diuresis and fractional sodium excretion (FENa+).
  
  
  METHODS
  A non-randomized, open, prospective clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intensive care unit in a tertiary university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 patients with hemodynamic stability admitted to the intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were submitted to three two-hour periods: without dopamine (P1), with dopamine (P2) and without dopamine (P3).
  
  
  METHODS
  The above mentioned variables were measured during each period. CLcr was assessed based upon the formula U x V/P, where U is urinary creatinine (mg/dl), V is diuresis in ml/min and P is serum creatinine (mg/dl). FENa+ was calculated based upon the formula: urinary sodium (mEq/l) x P/plasma sodium (mEq/l) x U) x 100. Results were presented as mean and standard deviation. The Student t test was used and results were considered significant if p was less than 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients (seven males and five females) were included, with a mean age of 55.45 years. There was no significant variation in MAP, HR, CVP, CLcr or FENa+ with a dopamine dose of 2 microg/kg/min. On the other hand, diuresis significantly increased during P2, from 225.4 to 333.9 ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infusion of 2 microg/kg/min of dopamine for 2 hours increases diuresis. At the doses studied, dopamine does not induce significant alterations in MAP, HR, CVP, CLcr and FENa+.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Discipline of Anesthesiology, Pain and Intensive Care, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia Nathalie
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Flávia Ribeiro
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Hélio Penna
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Ana Paula Resque
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Senna
authors.forename: José Luiz Gomes
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: do Amaral
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003422:Critical Care; D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012079:Renal Circulation
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004298:Dopamine