Dobutamine is a beta adrenergic agonist. It acts on both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Dobutamine increases myocardial contractility by stimulating beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, and causes vasodilation by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in blood vessels, complemented by reflex vasoconstriction to the increase cardiac output.

As a result, dobutamine's primary use is to treat cardiac decompensation, as it decreases systemic vascular resistance while increasing pulmonary vascular resistance. It is used to help the heart pump better by strengthening the heart muscle. Dobutamine also improves blood flow and relieves symptoms of heart failure.

 

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