[Hemodynamic and oxygen transport effects of dobutamine in critically ill patients]

The study evaluates the cardiocirculatory and oxymetric effects of dobutamine infusion in doses between 5 and 15 g/kg/min for a period of 48 hours in 18 critical patients of whom 9 with a low cardiac index (mean 2.1) and 9 with a normal or increased cardiac index (mean 3.3). The beta mimetic effect of the drug is particularly evident in the 9 hypodynamic patients who benefited from a 28% increase in the cardiac index. Likewise, oxygen transport and consumption improved by 22% and 15% respectively. In overall terms, the variables which revealed significant modifications were: cardiac index (CI), systolic index (SI), mean pulmonary pressure (MPAP), pulmonary impaction pressure (PAWP), systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance (SVRO), PVRI), oxygen transport and consumption (DO2, VO2) (No major changes were observed in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). No tachyphylaxia was noted after 48 hours of continuous infusion.