The effects of dopamine infusion on the postoperative energy expenditure, metabolism, and catecholamine levels of patients after esophagectomy

Abstract

Although dopamine is one of the most widely used vasoactive agents, its postoperative thermogenic and metabolic effects have not been studied. In this study, the effects of low-dose dopamine, given at 5 microgram/kg/min, on resting energy expenditure (REE), metabolism, and plasma catecholamine levels were examined in eight postsurgical patients. Dopamine infusion increased REE from 1,839 +/- 171 kcal/day to 2,071 +/- 170 kcal/day, and it decreased to 1,867 +/- 141 kcal/day after cessation of the infusion. Dopamine also increased the plasma levels of glucagon from 109.4 +/- 8.7 pg/ml to 132.5 +/- 8.0 pg/ml, and it decreased to 102.9 +/- 11.1 pg/ml after cessation of the infusion. The plasma levels of dopamine before, during, and after the infusion were 116.1 +/- 18.3, 161.1 +/- 25.6 and 121.4 +/- 17.2 ng/ml, respectively. Insulin and glucose were affected by dopamine, but changes in their plasma levels did not parallel the dopamine levels. Epinephrine and norepinephrine were increased by the infusion of dopamine and continued to increase even after its cessation. The results of this study revealed that low-dose dopamine increased REE in postsurgical patients and that this might be associated with the concomitant increase in plasma glucagon.

Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Increases Energy Expenditure in Healthy Adults

“…REE increased by ∼7% over values observed during the placebo session ( ) . This increase in REE seems to correspond to that observed in previous studies using intravenous DA infusion (10,11). Although hypothetical, it is likely that this increase in REE may be partly mediated by higher levels of circulating peripheral epinephrine observed during MPH‐induced DAT blockade (12).…”

Energy expenditure measured using indirect calorimetry after elective cardiac surgery in ventilated postoperative patients: A prospective observational study

“…Individual nutrition therapy is important for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), as their energy requirements are influenced by several factors, such as inflammation, age, fever, sedation, and catecholamine levels [1,2]. Although nutrition management plays an important therapeutic role in patients in the ICU, it is difficult for intensivists to estimate the optimal caloric target in ICU patients.…”