Dopamine versus norepinephrine in the treatment of shock.

CLINICAL QUESTION: Which vasopressor agent, norepinephrine or dopamine, is superior in the treatment of shock?

ARTICLE CHOSEN: De Backer D, Biston P, Devriendt J, et al. Comparison of dopamine and norepinephrine in the treatment of shock. N Engl J Med 2010;362:779-89.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The authors of this study set out to compare 28-day mortality in patients with shock who were treated with either dopamine or norepinephrine as initial vasopressor therapy. The authors' secondary outcome measures included mortality beyond 28 days and adverse events associated with each agent.