Intradialytic dobutamine therapy in maintenance hemodialysis patients with persistent hypotension

Intradialysis hypotension is a common problem, especially in patients with poor left-ventricular function. We studied 6 patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis with left-ventricular ejection fraction of <40%, whose dialysis sessions were often complicated with severe hypotension (systolic blood presure <90 mm Hg). Dobutamine infusion during dialysis significantly reduced the number of hypotensive episodes, increased left-ventricular ejection fraction, and decreased the number of emergency admissions to the hospital.