Circulatory function and oxygenation during hemihepatectomy. Dopamine versus dopexamine

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare low dose dopamine and dopex amine with respect to of liver-venous oxygen saturation, oxygen delivery an d - demand, liver function tests and cardiocirculatory effects in the reper fusion period during a hemihepatectomy operation with occlusion of the live r hilus. Methods: Twenty patients were studied in a randomised, doubleblind setting. They either received 2 mu g/kg per min dopamine or 0.5 mu g/kg per min dop examine perioperatively. For monitoring purposes a pulmonary artery and a l iver venous catheter were placed. At four different time points hemodynamic parameter were assessed and blood samples were drawn. Results:Significant changes between groups were found 5 min after opening t he liver hilus for the cardiac index and the systemic oxygen delivery, as w ell as at the end of the operation for pulmonary shunt volume,which had inc reased more in the dopexamine group. No significant difference between live r venous oxygen saturation and liver function tests was found. Conclusion: Until more detailed studies concerning the influence of dopamin e on the hepatic-splanchnic region during liver surgery are performed, dope xamine can not be considered superior to dopamine during these operations.