Indications & Dose:
- Increase cardiac contractility: 1-20 mcg/kg/min
- Typically start at 5 mcg/kg/min
Preparation:
- 12.5 mg/mL: add 10 mL to 250 mL saline = 0.5 mg/mL
- Max concentration: Add 20 mL to 50 mL saline = 5 mg/mL
Adverse Effects:
- Arrhythmias
- Extravasation: inflammation, pain, necrosis (uncommon)
- Seizures in cats?
Mechanism of action:
- Sympathomimetic: mostly beta1 (contractility), less beta1 (chronotropic), beta2 (vasodilatory)