Dopexamine and Norepinephrine Compared With Epinephrine Alone in Septic Shock
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2004-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
In septic shock, when volume resuscitation fails to restore mean arterial pressure,
catecholamines such as dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine are used, either
alone or in combination. Although they allow hemodynamic success to be obtained, they can
leave some regional blood flows impaired, especially the hepatosplanchnic perfusion, which
contributes to multiple organ failure.
Dopexamine is a structural and synthetic analog of dopamine that exerts systemic and gut
vasodilation and stimulates cardiac contraction. In experimental models, dopexamine has been
shown to exert anti-inflammatory properties and to protect the hepatic ultra structure. The
combination of dopexamine and norepinephrine could therefore constitute an interesting
alternative in treating septic shock patients. This study will test the efficacy (on gastric
mucosal blood flow, hepatic damage and oxidative stress) and safety of the combination of
dopexamine and norepinephrine (compared to those of epinephrine alone) in the treatment of
patients with septic shock.