Pharmacologic antagonism of beta adrenergic blockade in dogs. II. Hemodynamic effects of simultaneous intravenous infusion of isoproterenol and dopamine during chronic propranolol administration.

Chronic beta adrenergic blockade was induced in eight dogs with 240 to 360 mg of oral propranolol dailty for 2 to 6 weeks. Beta blockade was confirmed by a minimal heart rate response to isoproterenol, 0.06 micrograms/kg/min, in a pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest preparation. Subsequent to confirmation of beta blockade, hemodynamic effects of isoproterenol and dopamine were examined individually and in combination. A desirable balance of arterial pressure and cardiac output was achieved by combining isoproterenol, 0.2 to 2.0 micrograms/kg/min, with dopamine, 5 to 20 micrograms/kg/min. This combination increased mean arterial pressure (109 +/- 9 versus 81 +/- 7), cardiac output (4.3 +/- .5 versus 2.8 +/- .3 L/min) and heart rate 156 +/- 4 versus 120 +/- 7) (p less than 0.05). The hemodynamic effects of combined isoproterenol-dopamine were superior to the effects of either drug alone and suggest a method for effective circulatory support of man during chronic beta adrenergic blockade.