The effects of dobutamine on microcirculatory alterations in patients with septic shock are independent of its systemic effects.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of dobutamine on microcirculatory blood flow alterations in patients with septic shock.


METHODS
Prospective, open-label study.


METHODS
A 31-bed, medico-surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with septic shock.


METHODS
Intravenous administration of dobutamine (5 mug/kg.min) for 2 hrs (n = 22) followed by the addition of 10 M acetylcholine (topically applied, n = 10).


RESULTS
Complete hemodynamic measurements were obtained before and after dobutamine administration. In addition, the sublingual microcirculation was investigated with an orthogonal polarization spectral imaging technique before and after dobutamine administration and after topical application of acetylcholine. Dobutamine significantly improved capillary perfusion (from 48 +/- 15 to 67 +/- 11%, p = .001), but with large individual variation, whereas capillary density remained stable. The addition of topical acetylcholine completely restored capillary perfusion (98 +/- 1%, p = .001) and capillary density. The changes in capillary perfusion during dobutamine administration were not related to changes in cardiac index (p = .45) or arterial pressure (p = .29). Interestingly, the decrease in lactate levels was proportional to the improvement in capillary perfusion (y = 0.07 - 0.02x, r = .46, p = .005) but not to changes in cardiac index (p = .55).


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of 5 mug/kg.min dobutamine can improve but not restore capillary perfusion in patients with septic shock. These changes are independent of changes in systemic hemodynamic variables.
De Backer
Daniel
D
Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
Creteur
Jacques
J
Dubois
Marc-Jacques
MJ
Sakr
Yasser
Y
Koch
Marc
M
Verdant
Colin
C
Vincent
Jean-Louis
JL
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000098:blood supply*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004280:Dobutamine; D000109:Acetylcholine