Fenoldopam for renal protection in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the possible protective effects of fenoldopam on renal function in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design: Prospective, randomized trial.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Participants: One hundred sixty consecutive patients with serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL who underwent uncomplicated moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery.

Interventions: A random group of 80 patients was managed conventionally (group A), whereas another random group of 80 patients received continuous intravenous administration of low-dose fenoldopam (0.1-0.3 microg/kg/min) during cardiopulmonary bypass and in the early postoperative period (group B).

Measurements and main results: An improvement of postoperative renal parameters were observed only in group B: preoperative serum creatinine 1.82 +/- 0.2 versus 1.43 +/- 0.73 postoperatively (p < 0.001), preoperative creatinine clearance 51.34 +/- 22.26 versus 67.14 +/- 18.55 postoperatively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: In this study, fenoldopam was an effective agent in the prevention of renal dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass.