Table 4 Summary of literature search findings
Agent | Total number of studies | 'Level I' studies | 'Level II' studies | Significant findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Epinephrine | 15 | 0 | 10 | Increases CI with biphasic effect on SVR index. Produces rise in serum lactate |
Dopamine | 22 | 0 | 14 | Increased SVR index at doses above 5.0 μg/kg per min. Less clinical efficacy than dobutamine, dopexamine, amrinone, or enoximone. Increased incidence of adverse cardiac events than with dopexamine |
Dobutamine | 23 | 0 | 18 | Better efficacy than dopamine and epinephrine. Decreases SVR index. Tachycardia and tachyarrythmia (especially AF) associated with use. More ischaemic complications than with amrinone |
Dopexamine | 20 | 12 | Greater tachycardia than with dobutamine. More efficacious and fewer adverse events than with dopamine. | |
Amrinone | 27 | 1 | 13 | Improved weaning from CPB. Improves CI and decreases SVR index with minimal effects on HR. Fewer ischaemic complications than with dobutamine. Reports of thrombocytopenia associated with use |
Enoximone | 24 | 0 | 15 | Significant increase in CI without tachycardia. Decreases SVR index. As effective as dobutamine |
Milrinone | 27 | 0 | 17 | Significant increase in CI without tachycardia. Decreases SVR index. As effective as dobutamine but less AF. Luistropic. Improves IMA graft flow. As effective as 20 ppm NO in pulmonary hypertension |