Acute haemodynamic effects of dobutamine in experimental sepsis-induced myocardial depression.

Introduction Septic patients with myocardial depression are routinely treated with dobutamine [1]. Whether this strategy is desirable is questionable, as catecholamines increase cardiac work, reduce myocardial efficiency, and are cardiotoxic [2]. We can accurately predict mortality in a 72-hour fluid-resuscitated rat model of faecal peritonitis as early as 6 hours, based on the degree of myocardial depression (low stroke volume, high heart rate) [3]. This model offers a useful means of testing safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions in predicted survivors and non-survivors.