Dopamine-induced paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in an infant

Dopamine is an effective inotropic agent in the management of circulatory collapse. Ventricular dysrhythmias are reported to occur during dopamine infusion. The following report describes an infant with circulatory failure who experienced an episode of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia while receiving dopamine. Instability or immaturity of the cardiac conduction system during early infancy may contribute to the induction of an arrhythmia of supraventricular origin.