Expanded Abstract Citation

The optimal adrenergic support in shock is controversial. We investigated whether dopamine administration influences the outcome from shock. Methods Design and setting: Multicenter observational cohort study in 198 European ICUs in 24 countries from May 1–15, 2002. Subjects: 1058 adults with ICU stay ≥24h and circulatory shock, 462 of which had septic shock. Intervention: None. Measurements: Shock was defined as hemodynamic compromise necessitating the administration of vasopressor catecholamines and septic shock the presence of shock plus infection. Patients were followed until death, hospital discharge, or for 60 days, whichever came first. Differences in ICU, hospital, and 30d mortality were determined