Early Dobutamine Response, Not Echo, Flags Better Sepsis Trajectory
This retrospective cohort suggests early hemodynamic response to dobutamine marks a prognostically favorable septic shock phenotype, while baseline echocardiography fails to predict who will respond.
dobutamineinotropesseptic shocksepsis-induced myocardial dysfunctionnorepinephrine-equivalentScvO2echocardiographyvasopressorsretrospective cohorthemodynamicscritical careCritical Care / ICU
Background Information
Dobutamine response in septic shock predicts better outcomes.
Dobutamine is used in septic shock with myocardial dysfunction, but predictors of response are unclear. Responders to dobutamine showed lower 28-day ICU mortality (41% vs. 58%; p = 0.13) and more ICU-free days (17 vs. 0; p = 0.017). Early responsiveness to dobutamine identifies patients with better outcomes, but baseline echocardiography did not predict response. Dobutamine responders in septic shock have better clinical outcomes.
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Authors:Tarbaghia M, Nanah A, Sato R, Sanfilippo F, Dugar S
Citation:Tarbaghia M, Nanah A, Sato R, et al. Response to Dobutamine in Septic Shock With Myocardial Dysfunction: A Single-Center Retrospective Study. Critical care explorations. 2026;8(10):e1487. doi:10.1097/CCE.0000000000001487
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Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
Primary Outcomes
Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile
Pharmacist Implications
Clinical Pearls
Limitations
Controversies & Evidence Gaps
Cost & Logistics
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