The Effects of Dopamine on Central Hemodynamics and Myocardial Metabolism in Experimental Propoxyphene‐Induced Shock

Abstract

The hemodynamic and cardiometabolic effects of dopamine were evaluated in propoxyphene-induced circulatory shock in eight pentobarbital anesthetized pigs. Circulatory shock was induced by an infusion of propoxyphene chloride 15 mg . min-1 i.v. At shock, i.e. CI less than or equal to 2.0 l . min-1 . m-2 and/or MAP less than or equal to 60 mmHg, dopamine was infused at 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 micrograms . kg-1 . min-1 with an interval between increments of 8 min. After 30 min at 160 micrograms . kg-1 . min-1, the infusion rate was reversibly decreased. The propoxyphene infusion of 15 mg . min-1 was continued throughout the study. Dopamine improved the circulation in seven animals; one animal died in refractory shock during dopamine infusion. Dopamine infusion at shock level resulted in an increase of the following variables (% of baseline value): MAP (69%), HR (109%), CI (138%) and SVI (129%). Normalisation was seen in MRAP (120%) and in MPAOP (100%). A profound decrease in systemic vascular resistance was unchanged. Increases were seen in left and right ventricular stroke work index, to 88% and 176% of baseline, respectively. Left ventricular dP/dt increased (170%). In the coronary circulation myocardial blood flow increased (133%) as did myocardial oxygen consumption (65%) concomitant with a decrease in myocardial oxygen uptake (41%), but coronary vascular resistance progressively decreased (38%). The myocardial propoxyphene extraction changed from +54% to -86% during peak dopamine infusion. In conclusion, dopamine reversed cardiac failure in propoxyphene overdose by a marked positive inotropic stimulation restoring contractility. A marked positive chronotropic stimulation maintained a sufficient cardiac index and a normal blood pressure in spite of a profound vasodilatation which was unresponsive to dopamine.

Severe acute propoxyphene overdose: plasma concentrations of propoxyphene and norpropoxyphene and the effect of dopamine on circulatory failure

“…Studies on pentobarbital-anaesthetized pigs have demonstrated that intravenously administered propoxyphene possesses negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, while dilating both the systemic and the coronary vascular bed (12). The shock state in these experiments could, however, be reversed by dopamine infusion, while naloxone had no effects (13,14).…”