Renal-dose dopamine: Myth or ally in the treatment of acute renal failure?

Dopamine is an inotropic agent that has vasodilatory effects at low doses. It is a common belief that low-dose dopamine may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure and is being widely used in these situations. Does dopamine have a beneficial effect in acute renal failure? Numerous studies in animals and a few in humans using low-dose dopamine have been reported. In this review, the authors summarize the literature and discuss the basis of this practice, which should be considered more of a myth than an ally for this purpose.