Administration of low-dose dopamine by continuous intravenous infusion to critically ill patients at risk of renal failure does not confer clinically significant protection from renal dysfunction.

The groups assigned dopamine (n=161) and placebo (n=163) were similar in terms of baseline characteristics, renal function, and duration of trial infusion.

There was no difference between the dopamine and placebo groups in peak serum creatinine concentration during treatment, in the increase from baseline to highest value during treatment, or in the numbers of patients whose serum creatinine concentration exceeded 300 μmol/L or who required renal replacement therapy.

328 patients admitted to 23 participating intensive care units (ICUs) were randomly assigned a continuous intravenous infusion of low-dose dopamine or placebo administered through a central venous catheter while in the ICU.

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