Intermittent dobutamine infusions of 48-72 hours improved functional status in outpatients with intractable congestive heart failure, offering an alternative to traditional therapy.
Does intermittent dobutamine infusion improve functional status in outpatients with intractable congestive heart failure?
Intermittent dobutamine infusions may offer an effective alternative to improve functional status and lifestyle in select outpatients with intractable heart failure, despite no expected survival benefit.
Dobutamine is a potent inotropic agent traditionally used for treatment of acute cardiac decompensation of congestive heart failure (CHF). It acts primarily by increasing myocardial contractility and cardiac output. It has a rapid onset of action, a half-life of 2 minutes, and a duration of action of 10 minutes. Recently, the therapeutic effect of dobutamine was noted to be prolonged beyond the discontinuation of an infusion, persisting for 4-10 weeks after infusion of 48-72 hours. Because of this prolonged effect, dobutamine infusions were evaluated in outpatients with intractable CHF and were effective in improving their functional status. No effect on survival rates may be expected, but this form of therapy may improve the patient's lifestyle. Although several factors may limit the application of dobutamine infusion to outpatients, it offers an effective alternative to traditional therapy for select patients.
Thomas et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Congestive heart failure (CHF). Intermittent dobutamine infusions vs. traditional therapy was evaluated on Functional status. Intermittent dobutamine infusions of 48-72 hours improved functional status in outpatients with intractable congestive heart failure, offering an alternative to traditional therapy.