Low-dose dopamine in coronary artery bypass patients with preoperative renal dysfunction

Fifty-two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with preoperative renal dysfunction were studied to evaluate the effects of low- dose dopamine on renal function during the postoperative period. Patients were randomly assigned to the dopamine-treated group or an untreated control group. The treatment period was 24 hours commencing on induction of anesthesia. Serum creatinine levels were followed up for 6 days postoperatively. The degree of preoperative renal dysfunction was higher in the dopamine group but the pattern of change in the creatinine levels was similar in both groups, with an initial fall and a rise to maximum levels at 48 to 72 hours postoperatively, followed by a fall on day 6. We could not demonstrate any beneficial effect of low-dose dopamine in patients with preoperative renal dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.