Assessing Catecholamine Treatment Initiation Options: Norepinephrine vs Dopamine for Cardiogenic Shock

Assessing Catecholamine Treatment Initiation Options: Norepinephrine vs Dopamine for Cardiogenic Shock

The goal of this multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial is to learn whether norepinephrine or dopamine is more effective and safer as the first-line vasoactive drug for treating cardiogenic shock in adults. Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply the body. The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Does norepinephrine reduce the risk of death or worsening cardiogenic shock compared with dopamine?

Does norepinephrine lead to fewer complications such as arrhythmias, the need for mechanical circulatory support, or cardiac arrest?

Researchers will compare norepinephrine and dopamine to see which drug better stabilizes blood pressure, improves tissue perfusion, and prevents progression of shock during the early phase of treatment.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to receive either norepinephrine or dopamine as the first vasoactive drug

Receive treatment and monitoring based on current clinical guidelines for cardiogenic shock

Undergo regular assessments of blood pressure, laboratory values, heart rhythm, and organ function during hospitalization

Be followed for outcomes at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after enrollment

This study aims to provide evidence that will help determine which initial vasoactive drug offers better outcomes for patients with cardiogenic shock and guide future treatment recommendations.

Cardiogenic shock is a severe form of acute circulatory failure characterized by inadequate cardiac output, tissue hypoperfusion, and high short-term mortality. Despite advances in revascularization, mechanical circulatory support, and critical care management, early hemodynamic stabilization remains a major determinant of clinical outcomes. Vasoactive drugs are essential components of initial therapy, yet the optimal first-line agent for cardiogenic shock has not been definitively established.

Norepinephrine and dopamine are widely used vasoactive agents, but they may exert their effects through different physiological mechanisms. Their relative impact on vascular tone, cardiac output, and heart rate can vary depending on dose, patient characteristics, and the underlying pathophysiology of shock. Prior studies, including observational analyses and a landmark randomized trial, have suggested potential differences in safety profiles-particularly regarding arrhythmias-but these findings have not been confirmed in a contemporary population with standardized shock definitions and modern management strategies.

This multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial is designed to compare norepinephrine and dopamine as the initial vasoactive drug in adults with cardiogenic shock. The study uses a protocol-defined dosing algorithm to ensure consistent titration and incorporates current guideline-based management across participating centers. The primary endpoint evaluates both early hemodynamic deterioration and 28-day mortality, reflecting clinically meaningful outcomes during the most vulnerable phase of shock.

By enrolling a large, diverse population across multiple centers, this trial aims to provide definitive evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness and safety of norepinephrine versus dopamine as first-line therapy. The results are expected to inform clinical guidelines and support standardized treatment strategies for patients with cardiogenic shock.

Inclusion Criteria: 1&2

1. Age ≥ 19

2. Cardiogenic shocka in the stage of Society for cardiovascular angiography and intervention (SCAI) C or D

   • Cardiogenic shock was defined as follows, and should fulfill both 1) and 2)

     1. systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg for ≥30 min or need of inotropes or vasopressors to maintain systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg And
     2. Impaired cardiac function confirmed by cardiac catheterization or echocardiography

   • Patients will be further classified based on the SCAI shock classification system as follows:

     1. SCAI B: no signs of hypoperfusion
     2. SCAI C: any signs of hypoperfusion, cardiogenic shock will be classified as SCAI C, and these include mental status change, cool and clammy skin, mottled skin appearance, decreased urine output (30ml/hour) or lactate over 2.0mmol/L
     3. SCAI D: requirement of second-line vasoactive drug or mechanical circulatory support based on the predefined treatment protocol

Exclusion Criteria: any of these,

1. Administration of vasoactive drug more than 6 hours before enrollment
2. Patients already on temporary mechanical circulatory supportb before enrollment
3. Glasgow Coma Scale lower than 8 or other evidence of irreversible brain injury
4. Shock etiologies other than cardiogenic which include postcardiotomy shock or mixed shock
5. Pregnancy or lactation