Experiences with dopamine in patients operated with the aid of extracorporeal circulation

In ten patients dopamine was used for counteracting low cardiac output during and after operations performed with aid of extracorporeal circulation. The changes of arterial and venous pressure, heart rate and one-hour diuresis were measured. In 8 cases the results of treatment were good. Particularly striking was the improvement of diuresis and lowering of the central venous pressure. The authors regard dopamine as a very effective inotropic agent.