In many instances, the renal fraction of the total cardiac output has been found to increase. Increase in cardiac output produced by dopamine usually is not associated with substantial decreases in systemic vascular resistance. As in the case of other circulatory decompensation states, prognosis is better in patients whose blood pressure and urine flow have not undergone profound deterioration. Therefore, it is suggested that the physician administer dopamine as soon as a definite trend towards decreased systolic and diastolic pressure becomes evident. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown, and probably low.
Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.
Do not add Intropin to any alkaline diluent solution, since the drug is inactivated in alkaline solution. Patients who have been treated with MAO inhibitors prior to the administration of dopamine will require substantially reduced dosage. Dopamine is metabolized by MAO, and inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine. Cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics increase cardiac autonomic irritability and therefore seem to sensitize the myocardium to the action of certain intravenously administered catecholamines. Use dopamine with extreme caution in patients inhaling cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics.