Cardiopulmonary effects of dopamine hydrochloride in anaesthetised horses

Dopamine hydrochloride was infused intravenously into six horses anaesthetised with halothane. Three dose rates; 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg/min, were evaluated in each horse. The cardiac output was significantly increased at 15 and 30 mins following administration of dopamine at 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg/min. The heart rate, facial artery pressure and pulmonary artery pressure remained unchanged. Total peripheral resistance was significantly decreased at 30 mins with 2.5 micrograms/kg/min and at 15 and 30 mins with 5.0 micrograms/kg/min. No significant change was produced in packed cell volume, total protein, white blood cell count, platelets, glucose or lactate at any infusion rate. Supraventricular premature contractions occurred in one horse and episodes of tachycardia occurred in two horses during infusion of dopamine at 5.0 micrograms/kg/min. The results of the investigation demonstrated that dopamine administered at 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg/min effectively increased the cardiac output of halothane anaesthetised horses and that dopamine at the high dosage may cause dysrhythmias.