Abstract
Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of local alpha-blocker injection for prevention of alpha-1 receptor activation in development of skin lesions induced by extravasation of administered dobutamine using a rat model. Methods: Skin lesions were induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of dobutamine into the back skin, and the rats were divided into two groups - a group given topical injection of alpha-blocker and an untreated group - and observed for 3 days. Results: In the group given topical injection of alpha-blocker, six out of ten injection sites turned black on the first day, and this gradually became ulcerated by the third day. On the other hand, in the untreated group, six out of ten injection sites also turned black on the first day, and this gradually became ulcerated by the third day in all of them. Conclusion: When extravasation of dobutamine occurs, prevention of alpha-1 receptor activation has been recommended. However, the present findings suggest that rats develop ulcers irrespective of whether or not they have received topical injection of alpha-blocker.
