dobutamine

drug

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Dobutamine is a cardiovascular drug that affects the heart's function. It is classified as a sympathomimetic agent, meaning it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by mimicking the effects of hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine.12

Specifically, dobutamine is known to increase the force of the heart's contraction (positive inotropic effect) without significantly affecting heart rate or blood pressure when administered intravenously in moderate doses. It works by acting on adrenergic receptors, specifically a and beta receptors, though its effects can vary depending on the specific isoform. This makes it useful in treating conditions like heart failure, where the heart needs assistance to pump blood effectively.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

myocardial perfusion imaging
…intravenous injection of the drug dobutamine while monitoring the effects via echocardiography. By using dobutamine echocardiography, the heart condition of frail patients and those who have heart disease or physical limitations that preclude exercise can be evaluated. Dobutamine induces the same changes in the heart that would occur during a…
Read More
…intravenous injection of the drug dobutamine while monitoring the effects via echocardiography. By using dobutamine echocardiography, the heart condition of frail patients and those who have heart disease or physical limitations that preclude exercise can be evaluated. Dobutamine induces the same changes in the heart that would occur during a…
Read More