Dopamine receptors: applications in clinical cardiology.

Abstract

THE DISCOVERY of the renal vasodilating action of dopamine more than 20 years ago led to extensive research that demonstrated other unusual actions of this endogenous catecholamine.1-' Investigators using traditional pharmacologic models and modern biochemical techniques have documented the existence of distinct dopamine receptor subtypes that mediate these responses. Appreciation of the structure-activity re- quirements of these receptors has led to the synthesis of drugs that may have a profound influence on the management of the patient with heart disease.