MECHANISM OF ACTION OF DOPAMINE IN ENDOTOXIN SHOCK

Dopamine infusion is very effective in preventing the peripheral pooling that occurs after endotoxin injection however, its effectiveness is much more striking when administered as pre-treatment and continued during the post-endotoxin period. The hepatosplanchnic region appears to be the site of action of dopamine in preventing pooling, since the weight of the isolated perfused liver and portal vein pressure are markedly reduced in endotoxin shock when dopamine is infused. In addition, pooling in the eviscerated dog given endotoxin is not altered by dopamine infusion in experiments utilizing a venous return preparation with constant cardiac inflow unpublished results from this laboratory. Although dopamine appears to have potential therapeutic value in various shock states, it is still under experimental investigation.