Therapeutic role of dopamine in acute heart failure syndrome

Abstract

Acute heart failure syndromes (AHFSs) resulting in hospitalization remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (1). Despite optimal medical therapy, many patients have refractory heart failure and remain symptomatic. Dopamine is widely used in the therapy of AHFS. However, the use of dopamine in the therapy of such patients is highly variable and remains controversial. This chapter summarizes the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of dopamine as well as its clinical rationale in the therapy of AHFS. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London.