What is the recommended dopamine dose for a patient in shock, considering factors such as weight, age, and medical history?

Dopamine Dosing in Shock

Dopamine should NOT be used as a first-line vasopressor in shock—norepinephrine is the mandatory first choice, with dopamine reserved only for highly selected patients with absolute or relative bradycardia and low risk of tachyarrhythmias. 1

Why Norepinephrine Over Dopamine

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines explicitly downgraded dopamine from first-line to alternative therapy based on compelling evidence:

• Dopamine increases mortality in cardiogenic shock compared to norepinephrine (significant difference in 28-day mortality, P=0.03) 2
• Dopamine causes significantly more arrhythmic events (24.1% vs 12.4%, P<0.001) compared to norepinephrine 2
• No mortality benefit in septic or hypovolemic shock when compared to norepinephrine 2

When Dopamine May Be Considered (Rare Scenarios)

Dopamine is suggested only in highly selected patients with: 1

• Absolute or relative bradycardia (heart rate <60 bpm or inappropriately low for clinical state)
• Low risk of tachyarrhythmias (no history of atrial fibrillation, SVT, or ventricular arrhythmias)
• Adequate volume resuscitation already achieved

Dopamine Dosing Protocol (If Used)

Initial Dosing Strategy

Start at 2-5 mcg/kg/min for patients likely to respond to modest increments of heart force and renal perfusion 3

Start at 5 mcg/kg/min for more seriously ill patients, then increase gradually using 5-10 mcg/kg/min increments up to 20-50 mcg/kg/min as needed 3

Dose-Dependent Effects

The hemodynamic effects are concentration-dependent: 4

• <5 mcg/kg/min: Primarily dopaminergic effects (renal vasodilation)
• 5-10 mcg/kg/min: β-adrenergic effects (increased cardiac output, heart rate)
• >10 mcg/kg/min: α-adrenergic effects (vasoconstriction)

Titration Guidelines

• Increase by 5-10 mcg/kg/min increments every 15-30 minutes based on hemodynamic response 3
• Target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mmHg 1
• Monitor for limiting endpoints: heart rate >120-125 bpm or dangerous arrhythmias 5
• Maximum dose: 50 mcg/kg/min in most patients; doses >50 mcg/kg/min require frequent urine output monitoring 3

Preparation Methods

Standard concentration (800 mcg/mL): 400 mg dopamine in 500 mL D5W 3

Alternative "Rule of 6" method: Multiply 0.6 × patient weight (kg) to determine milligrams to dilute in 100 mL saline; at this concentration, 1 mL/h delivers 0.1 mcg/kg/min 4

More concentrated solutions (1600 mcg/mL or 3200 mcg/mL) may be preferred in fluid-restricted patients 3

Critical Administration Requirements

Infusion Setup

• Use only an infusion pump (preferably volumetric)—never gravity drip with mechanical clamps 3
• Infuse into large vein (antecubital fossa preferred) to prevent extravasation and tissue necrosis 3
• Protect from light: Cover infusion container with protective foil 4
• Do NOT mix with sodium bicarbonate or alkaline solutions (dopamine is inactivated) 3

Monitoring Requirements

• Continuous ECG monitoring for arrhythmias 4
• Blood pressure every 5-15 minutes during titration 4
• Urine output (target >40 mL/hr) 5
• Arterial catheter placement as soon as practical 1

When to Stop or Switch from Dopamine

Immediate Discontinuation Indicators

• Development of new arrhythmias (most common adverse effect) 2
• Disproportionate rise in diastolic pressure with marked decrease in pulse pressure 3
• Diminishing urine output despite adequate blood pressure 3
• Increasing tachycardia (HR approaching 120-125 bpm) 5

Switch to Norepinephrine If:

• Dopamine reaches 20 mcg/kg/min without achieving hemodynamic goals 3
• Arrhythmias develop at any dose 2
• Patient has cardiogenic shock (dopamine associated with increased mortality) 2

Special Populations

Pediatric Dosing

• Start at 2-5 mcg/kg/min for modest hemodynamic support 3
• Increase to 5-20 mcg/kg/min for more severe shock 3
• Fluid-refractory shock: 2-20 mcg/kg/min range 4

Cardiogenic Shock (Use with Extreme Caution)

Dopamine may worsen myocardial ischemia: 5

• Increases myocardial oxygen extraction (73% to 76%, P<0.05)
• Increases myocardial lactate production (-8% to -15%, P=0.05)
• Consider norepinephrine or dobutamine instead for cardiogenic shock 2

What NOT to Do with Dopamine

Never use low-dose dopamine (<5 mcg/kg/min) for "renal protection"—this practice is strongly discouraged with high-quality evidence showing no benefit 1

Never use dopamine as first-line therapy in septic shock—norepinephrine is superior with fewer adverse events 1, 2, 6

Never administer if solution is darker than slightly yellow—discard discolored solutions 3

Never infuse through umbilical artery catheter 3

Discontinuation Protocol

When stopping dopamine: 3

• Gradually decrease dose while expanding blood volume with IV fluids
• Avoid abrupt cessation to prevent marked hypotension
• Monitor for rebound hypotension during weaning