Effects of dopamine on the portal circulation after therapeutic hepatic artery ligation.

The effects of exogenous dopamine (2, 4 and 6 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 i.v.) on the portal circulation were studied in six patients following therapeutic hepatic artery ligation. Portal blood flow (PBF) was measured by the continuous thermodilution technique. Portal venous pressure (PVP, n = 3) was monitored through the thermodilution catheter to allow derivation of preportal vascular resistance (PVR). Blood samples were taken through the portal venous catheter for measurement of dopamine. A significant increase in PBF and a decrease in PVR were observed during graded i.v. dopamine infusion. Thus, PBF was 961 +/- 119 ml.min-1 during control conditions and increased to 1446 +/- 221 ml.min-1 during the dopamine infusion at 6 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. No significant changes in mean arterial pressure or PVP were observed during dopamine administration. The pharmacokinetics of dopamine did not differ from that previously reported in patients with an intact arterial supply. In conclusion, our data indicate that exogenous dopamine consistently increases PBF by preportal vasodilation, also in patients with a surgically restricted hepatic arterial blood supply.