Alterations in dopamine clearance and catechol-O-methyltransferase activity by dopamine infusions in children

19 children (age 16 days to 12 years) in a pediatric intensive care unit, including 14 treated patients (13 enrolled within 24 hours of palliative or corrective surgery for congenital heart disease) and 5 untreated controls (noncardiac surgical procedures).

Dopamine continuous intravenous infusion (rates ranging from 3.0 to 20 micrograms/kg/min).

Untreated controls.

Plasma dopamine concentrations and mononuclear cell catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity.surrogate