This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (13) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Voelckel, W. G. Articles by Lurie, K. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Voelckel, W. G. Articles by Lurie, K. G.

---

CRITICAL CARE AND TRAUMA

Effect of Small-Dose Dopamine on Mesenteric Blood Flow and Renal Function in a Pig Model of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Vasopressin

Wolfgang G. Voelckel, MD^*, Karl H. Lindner, MD^*, Volker Wenzel, MD^*, Johannes O. Bonatti, MD, Anette C. Krismer, MD^*, Egfried A. Miller, BS^*, and Keith G. Lurie, MD

Departments of *Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and Surgery, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; and Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Address correspondence to Dr. Wolfgang Voelckel, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, The Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Address e-mail to wolfgang.voelckel{at}uibk.ac.at

Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) seems a promising alternative to epinephrine for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in cardiac arrest victims, mediating a pronounced blood flow shift toward vital organs. We evaluated the effects of small-dose dopamine on splanchnic blood flow and renal function after successful resuscitation with this potent vasoconstrictor in an established porcine CPR model. After 4 min of cardiac arrest and 3 min of CPR, animals received 0.4 U/kg vasopressin and were continuously infused with either dopamine 4 µg · kg^-1 · min^-1 (n = 6), or saline placebo (n = 6). Defibrillation was performed 5 min after drug administration; all animals were observed for 6 h after return of spontaneous circulation. During the postresuscitation phase, average mean ± SD superior mesenteric artery blood flow was significantly (P = 0.002) higher in the dopamine group compared with the placebo group (1185 ± 130 vs 740 ± 235 mL/min), whereas renal blood flow was comparable between groups (255 ± 40 vs 250 ± 85 mL/min). The median calculated glomerular filtration rate had higher values in the dopamine group (70–120 mL/min) than in the placebo group (40–70 mL/min; P = 0.1 at 0 min and P = 0.08 at 360 min). We conclude that small-dose dopamine administration may be useful in improving superior mesenteric artery blood flow and renal function after successful resuscitation with vasopressin.

Implications: Long-term survival after cardiac arrest may be determined by the ability to ensure adequate organ perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the postresuscitation phase. In this regard, small-dose dopamine improved postresuscitation blood flow to the mesenteric bed when vasopressin was used as an alternative vasopressor in an animal model of cardiac arrest.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Wenzel and K. H. Lindner Employing vasopressin during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and vasodilatory shock as a lifesaving vasopressor Cardiovasc Res, August 15, 2001; 51(3): 529 - 541. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]