EFFECT OF DOPAMINE ON LIVER CIRCULATION IN MAN

Abstract

We studied the effects of dopamine on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics during surgery in 15 patients with gallstones and normal liver function. Portal venous flow (PVF) and hepatic artery flow (HAF) were measured by local thermodilution and electromagnetic flowmeter, respectively.
Intravenous infusion of dopamine at a dosage of 3μg/kg/min caused a significant increase in PVF from a control value of 818±256ml/min (mean±SD) to 1018±361ml/min, but no significant change in HAF. Systemic circulation including cardiac output as determined by Swan-Ganz catheter showed no significant change. We conclude, therefore, that PVF increased independently of cardiac output. Portal venous pressure showed no apparent change, while portal venous resistance decreased significantly.
Dopamine also elevated portal venous PO₂, thereby causing an increase in oxygen supply to the liver combined with an increase in PVF.