Abstract

Dopamine (Intropin - Arnar-Stone) is a naturally occurring catecholamine. It is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of noradrenaline and an important transmitter in the nervous system. Dopamine has been marketed for several years in the USA and is now available here for the treatment of shock ‘associated with myocardial infarction, trauma, endotoxic septicaemia, open-heart surgery, renal failure and chronic cardiac decompensation as in congestive failure’.