Abstract
Dobutamine(DB), a relatively new inotropic drug, is useful for augmenting cardiovascular function in adults. There is, however, no information available concerning the effects of DB in children. To determine the hemodynamic effects of DB in children we infused DB into ten children with congenital heart disease during the course of routine cardiac catheterization. We infused DB at two doses (2 and 8μg/kg/min) for ten minutes each. We measured heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic (SAP) and pulmonary arterial (PAP), right atrial (RAP), and pulmonary arterial wedge (PWP) blood pressures before and during infusion of DB. Systemic (SVR) and pulmonary (PVR) vascular resistances and stroke index (SI) were calculated.
During infusion of 8μg/kg/min of DB, phasic and mean (x) SAP increased from 108/60,80 to 148/74,105 mm Hg (p<.05); CI increased from 3.6 to 4.6 L/min/m2 (p<.05); and SI increased from 38 to 48 ml/beat/m2. These indices also were increased significantly (p<.05) from control during infusion of 2μg/kg/min of DB.
Phasic and mean PAP, PWP, RAP, HR, PVR, and SVR were unchanged from control at both doses of DB. We noted no adverse effects from the drug.
DB appears to be a useful inotropic agent to augment cardiovascular function in children.
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Driscoll, D., Gillette, P., Duff, D. et al. 244 THE HEMODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF DOBUTAMINE IN CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 404 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00249
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00249