[Procedure for using adrenomimetic preparations in heart surgery]

On the basis of experience in the use of adrenomimetics in the treatment of acute circulatory disorder in 112 patients who underwent operation on an open heart under extracorporeal circulation, the authors find that these agents are often the only effective measure in the control of low cardiac output that is not caused by hypovolemia. An increase in the cardiac output caused by adrenomimetic with a potent vasoconstrictive effect relieves the peripheral spasm because of the prevalence of their cardiostimulating effect. The doses of the adrenomimetics should be minimum at the beginning of treatment, and then should be doubled subsequently till the necessary effect is produced. It is advisable to combine them with agents which reduce myocardial excitability. Adrenomimetics should not be used as substitutes for measures which cause an effect on the ethiopathogenetic links of circulatory disorders: hypovolemia, hypoxemia, side-effects of anesthesiological agents, vagal hyper-reactions, disorders of the electrolyte balance, etc.