RESUMO
Due to a big amount of dopaminergic receptors set in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), endogenously freed dopamine determines motor and cognitive activities of an organism. It influences neurohormonal regulation of the body, among all, other catecholamines' production; it also regulates kidney's functioning, the cardiovascular system and alimentary canal. Dopamine (a natural catecholamine) containing specimens are often used for the sake of intensive medical care. A particular effect, which is natriuretic, inotropic and vasopressive, is expected under inpatient treatment conditions depending on a selected dose. In practice, however, a potential influence of such treatment on neurohormonal processes, among all, an impact on hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis is rarely taken into account. Considering numerous adverse events, a risk of renal failure development and blood redistribution disorders in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, a negative impact on the respiratory system, as well as in the event of insufficient evidence for dopamine's effectiveness in both prevention and acute renal failure) treatment, dopamine's implementation in so called diuretic doses is controversial. Its implementation as a drug with the vasopressor effect must be reconsidered and individualised.
