• Andrea Morelli, Monica Rocco, Giorgio Conti, Alessandra Orecchioni, Andrea De Gaetano, Flaminia Coluzzi, Enrico Vernaglione, Paolo Pelaia, and Paolo Pietropaoli.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. andrea.morelli@uniroma1.it
• Anesthesiology. 2004 Sep 1;101(3):576-82.

BackgroundInadequate splanchnic perfusion in septic shock is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. As result of splanchnic ischemia, mucosal permeability increases. Considering the implication of improved mucosal perfusion in terms of maintenance of mucosal barrier integrity, dopamine-1 receptor stimulation could be helpful in septic shock. The goal of the current study was to determine the effects of fenoldopam on systemic hemodynamic parameters and gastric mucosal perfusion in patients with septic shock. Furthermore, the authors tested the hypothesis that the addition of fenoldopam (0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) to a combination of norepinephrine and dobutamine (5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) may improve gastric mucosal perfusion in septic shock.MethodsPatients with septic shock were randomized to a double-blind 2-h infusion of fenoldopam (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20). Each group received dobutamine (5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)), and the dosage of norepinephrine was adjusted to achieve a mean arterial pressure between 70 and 80 mmHg. A laser-Doppler probe and tonometer were introduced into the gastric lumen.ResultsA significant increase in gastric mucosal perfusion, detected by laser-Doppler flowmetry, was observed in the group treated with fenoldopam (P < 0.05). In addition, this increase in microcirculatory flow occurred despite the fact that systemic flow remained unchanged. Differences in gastroarterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide values were not statistically significant in the fenoldopam and placebo groups.ConclusionsThe study showed that, for the same mean arterial pressure, short-term fenoldopam infusion increased gastric mucosal perfusion in patients with septic shock.

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