[Clinical experiences with dopamine after heart surgery]

15 patients have been treated with dopamine (2.0--6.0 gamma/kg/min) in the initial phase of cardiogenic shock after cardiac surgery. Indication was a systolic blood pressure of less than 85 mmHg associated with oligurie and peripheral vasoconstriction. 12 patients survived the cardiocirculatory crisis and the early postoperative period. Dopamine alone increased the arterial blood pressure in 6 patients from 52.4 to 80.1 mmHg and the urine flow from 25.2 ml/hr to 181.2 ml/hr. To obtain an optimal perfusion pressure additional application of Noradrenalin was used in 8 patients. In these patients the urine flow rose from 9.1 ml/hr to 131 ml/hr. In one patient no reaction, neither to dopamine, nor in combination with Noradrenalin was seen. The effect of pulse rate, central venous pressure and arterial oxygen tension has been discussed. Dopamine seems to be a useful substance in surgical patients with temporary cardiac insufficiency.