Renal-dose (low-dose) dopamine for the treatment of sepsis-related and other forms of acute renal failure: Ineffective and probably dangerous

Abstract

1. Low-dose ('renal-dose') dopamine (i.e. 1-3 micrograms/kg per min) is used widely for the treatment of acute renal failure induced by ischaemia, toxins and/or sepsis. Here we review the scientific rationale, experimental studies and clinical trials evaluating its use in these settings. 2. Renal-dose dopamine augments renal blood flow, sodium excretion and probably glomerular filtration rate in healthy humans and experimental animals and limits ATP utilization and oxygen requirements in nephron segments at risk of ischaemic injury. Renal-dose dopamine is renoprotective in several ischaemic and nephrotoxic models of acute renal failure. 3. However, most studies in humans have not demonstrate..