[Use of dopamine in acute cardiovascular distress. Its place in comparison to isoproterenol].

Nineteen patients presenting cardiovascular distress were treated with dopamine. For seventeen of these, the accident occurred immediately after cardiac surgery. Dosages varied from 1 to 15 mug/kg/min and the duration of treatment from 10 minutes to three days. The efficacy of the treatment was judged according to the clinical and hemodynamic improvement of the cardio-circulatory function and the increase in urinary output. There were 15 favourable results. The positive effects of the dopamine seem to be limited in certain patients by the appearance of a cyanosis testifying to a rise in vascular resistances which increases the left auricular pressure and limits the inotropic effect. In these cases, isoproterenol or a combination of both isoproterenol and dopamine gives better results.