Dobutamine is a positive inotropic drug that acts directly on cardiac beta-1 receptors to increase myocardial contractility and enhance stroke volume, resulting in increased cardiac output and decreased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure within 1-2 minutes. Common adverse reactions include nausea, headache, respiratory distress, angina, palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension and ventricular ectopic beats. Dobutamine is contraindicated in atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and phaeochromocytoma.