Dopexamine and Norepinephrine Compared With Epinephrine Alone in Septic Shock

In septic shock, when volume resuscitation fails to restore mean arterial pressure, catecholamines such as dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine are used, either alone or in combination. Although they allow hemodynamic success to be obtained, they can leave some regional blood flows impaired, especially the hepatosplanchnic perfusion, which contributes to multiple organ failure. Dopexamine is a structural and synthetic analog of dopamine that exerts systemic and gut vasodilation and stimulates cardiac contraction. In experimental models, dopexamine has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory properties and to protect the hepatic ultra structure. The combination of dopexamine and norepinephrine could therefore constitute an interesting alternative in treating septic shock patients. This study will test the efficacy (on gastric mucosal blood flow, hepatic damage and oxidative stress) and safety of the combination of dopexamine and norepinephrine (compared to those of epinephrine alone) in the treatment of patients with septic shock.