Increasing renal blood flow: Low-dose dopamine or medium-dose norepinephrine

Abstract

Background and objectives: Many clinicians believe that low-dose dopamine (LDD) [2 μg/kg/min] increases renal blood flow (RBF) and medium-dose norepinephrine (MD-NE) [0.4 μg/kg/min] decreases RBF. They also believe that MD-NE might induce mesenteric and/or coronary ischemia. In fact, the effects of these drugs on renal and vital organ blood flow are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 6 h of IV LDD and MD-NE infusion on mammalian renal, coronary, mesenteric, and sagittal blood flow. Design: Randomized, controlled, experimental animal study. Setting: Animal laboratory of tertiary physiology institute. Subjects: Seven Merino cross sheep were studied. Measurem..