Clinical Study Dopamine D2R Agonist-Induced Cardiovascular Effects in Healthy Male Subjects: Potential Implications in Clinical Settings

License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Dopamine D2 receptor agonists represent a first line treatment option in young patients with signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. An association between the use of D2 receptor agonists in Parkinson’s disease patients and heart failure has been reported. The identification of the underlying mechanism is needed to minimize the resultant cardiovascular morbidity. In a phase I clinical trial, a D2 receptor agonist (pramipexole) was administered to 52 healthy male subjects following a dose escalation scheme. Serial measurements of resting blood pressure, heart rate, and derived parameters including pulse pressure, pulsatile stress, and rate pressure product were analysed. Statistically significant and clinically relevant increases in most of the assessed parameters were found. Ten subjects were removed prematurely from the trial because of clinically significant increases in blood pressure and/or heart rate requiring immediate intervention with IV rescue medications including a selectiv