Dopamine vs. Norepinephrine for Shock

Abstract This chapter appraises the SOAP II trial, which compared dopamine and norepinephrine as vasopressors for shock treatment. The trial 1679 adult intensive care unit patients with shock and assessed 28-day mortality and adverse events. The trial found no significant difference in mortality between the two vasopressors, though dopamine was associated with more arrhythmias. Secondary outcomes, such as days without organ support, shoed no major differences between the two groups. Finally, the chapter discusses that norepinephrine, due to its lower rate of arrhythmias and similar mortality outcomes, should be preferred as the first-line vasopressor for shock, in line with updated clinical guidelines.