Effect of dopamine and norepinephrine on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of tissue in patients with septic shock

Objective To evaluate the effects of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of tissue in patients with septic shock. Methods Forty sixty patients with septic shock after abdominal surgery were assigned to the groups of DA and NE randomly. They were given DA or NE for 6 hours. Heart rate (HR), mean artery pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), early lactate clearance, and urine volume per hour (UV) were measured at the end of the 6 hour after the treatment. Creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) was measured at the end of the 12th hour after treatment. Results There were no differences in MAP, CI or SVI between the two groups, HR was higher while SI was lower in DA group than that in NE group (P<0.05). SvO2 and early lactate clearance in the group of NE were significantly higher than those in the group of DA(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in UV, Ccr or 28-day mortality between two groups. Conclusions NE has better effects than DA on improving internal organ perfusion and tissue oxygenation. NE may be a better choice for the patients with septic shock after abdominal surgery. Key words: Septic shock; Dopamine; Norepinephrine; Hemodynamics; Oxygen metabolism