Hemodynamic effects of dopexamine in patients following coronary artery bypass surgery

Dopexamine is a new dopamine analogue, with combined agonist properties on dopamine receptors and the beta 2-adrenoceptor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term hemodynamic effects of dopexamine at different dosage rates in postoperative coronary artery bypass (CABG) patients, especially with respect to the right ventricle, using a right ventricular ejection fraction pulmonary artery catheter. With a dose of 2 micrograms/kg/min of dopexamine, significant increases in heart rate (25%), cardiac index (33%), and right ventricular ejection fraction (20%) were observed. Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased with a dose over 1 microgram/kg/min (15%). Mean arterial blood pressure and pulmonary artery pressures were not affected. At 4 micrograms/kg/min, cardiac index was further increased. In conclusion, dopexamine could be beneficial to patients with a compromised right ventricle by lowering afterload and improving ventricular performance after CABG.