Alterations in dopamine clearance and catechol-O-methyltransferase activity by dopamine infusions in children
Abstract
To determine the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in the biodisposition of pharmacologic concentrations of dopamine. The study was an open-label dose escalation trial in which dopamine was employed as the sole exogenous catecholamine. The dosage was adjusted to achieve improvements in cardiac output or to augment renal function. A 16-bed pediatric intensive care unit serving both medical and surgical patients. The study was performed using 14 dopamine-treated and five untreated control patients. Children ranged in age from 16 days to 12 yrs; five of the treated patients and two of the untreated controls were female. All but one of the study patients were enrolled within 24 hrs of palliative or corrective surgery for congenital heart disease. Control patients had noncardiac surgical procedures. Both treated and control groups were similar with respect to severity of illness, as judged by Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score. All treated patients received dopamine as a continuous intravenous infusion. Infusion rates were determined by caregivers and ranged from 3.0 to 20 micrograms/kg/min. Serial, timed blood samples were obtained from patients and control subjects for the determination of plasma dopamine conc...Continue Reading
References
Adrenergic receptors in man: direct identification, physiologic regulation, and clinical alterations
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Birth Defects
Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.