Dopamine use and its consequences in the intensive care unit: a cohort study utilizing the Japanese Intensive care PAtient Database
This study aimed to identify the current practice of dopamine use in Japan and investigate its consequences in a large Asian population.
Data from the Japanese Intensive Care Patient Database was used, with 14,594 records from 56 facilities included for analysis.
Patients receiving dopamine had higher cardiovascular diagnosis codes, more post-elective surgery status and lower APACHE III scores compared to those given noradrenaline alone.
Multivariable analysis showed an increased risk of mortality associated with higher doses of dopamine administration; this was further confirmed by a 1:1 propensity score matching which also revealed longer ICU stays among patients on high dose dopaminergic therapy.
The results suggest that while still widely used in Japan, there may be detrimental effects associated with high dose dopaminergic therapy.
Suzuki, R., Uchino, S., Sasabuchi, Y. et al. Dopamine use and its consequences in the intensive care unit: a cohort study utilizing the Japanese Intensive care PAtient Database. Crit Care26, 90 (2022).
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