Intradialytic dobutamine therapy in maintenance hemodialysis patients withpersistent hypotension

Intradialysis hypotension is a common problem, especially in patients with poor left-ventricular function. We studied 6 patients who were on maintenan ce hemodialysis with left-ventricular ejection fraction of <40%, whose dial ysis sessions were often complicated with severe hypotension (systolic bloo d presure <90 mm Hg). Dobutamine infusion during dialysis significantly red uced the number of hypotensive episodes, increased left-ventricular ejectio n fraction, and decreased the number of emergency admissions to the hospita l.