Evaluation of dopexamine hydrochloride as a renoprotective agent during aortic surgery

Thirty-two patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic surgery were randomly assigned to receive a perioperative infusion of either dopexamine hydrochloride at a rate of 2 micrograms/kg/min (n = 15) or 0.9% saline solution as placebo (n = 17). Renal function was monitored by regular measurements of serum creatinine levels. There were significant mean percentage increases in serum creatinine (p < 0.001) at all time points up to 3 days postoperatively in the placebo group but only at 2 and 12 hours in the dopexamine group. It was concluded that dopexamine hydrochloride confers renal protection in patients undergoing aortic reconstruction.