[Fenoldopam: potential clinical applications in heart surgery].

Fenoldopam mesylate, a derivative of benzazepine, is the first selective agonist of dopamine-1 (DA1) receptors authorized for clinical use. Fenoldopam mesylate causes relaxation of smooth muscle, vasodilatation and inhibition of tubular reabsorption of sodium in the kidney. Fenoldopam has no dopamine-2, alpha or beta-adrenergic activity and is 3.5 times more potent than dopamine in dilating renal vessels. Fenoldopam mesylate may therefore prove useful in situations in which renal oxygen demand must be reduced and supply increased. Intravenous fenoldopam mesylate significantly increased renal blood flow and decreased vascular resistance in healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients.