Effect of dopamine on intrapulmonary shunt fraction and oxygen transport in severe sepsis with circulatory and respiratory failure.

The hemodynamic response to a dopamine HCl infusion (10 microgram/kg per min) was measured in 25 adult patients with severe sepsis: there were 6 patients with circulatory hyperdynamic states, 9 patients with myocardial failure, and 10 with hypovolemia. Each patient also had acute respiratory failure. Changes of intrapulmonary shunt fraction (Qs/Qt), arterial and mixed venous oxygen tension (PaO2 and PvO2), oxygen transport, and oxygen consumption (VO2) were evaluated before and after dopamine infusion. Dopamine infusion produced clinical improvement and increased cardiac output. The hemodynamic response seemed to differ slightly according to the pattern of circulatory failure: chronotropic effect appeared to be predominant in hyperdynamic states, whereas inotropic effect appeared to be predominant in myocardial failure or hypovolemia. Moreover, in hypovolemic patients we noted a rise in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure suggesting an additional increase in venous return. During this treatment, we also noted a worsening of the Qs/Qt despite the increase in pulmonary blood flow; this worsening did not prevent significant improvements in VO2, but the improvement in PVO2 was offset by increased Qs/Qt and PaO2 remained unchanged.