[Phytogenic drugs in heart diseases exemplified by Crataegus].

According to the results, standardized extracts differ from other inotropic drugs used for treatment of chronic heart insufficiency. Crataegus extracts have positive inotropic, positive chronotropic, positive dromotropic but negative bathmotropic effects, increase coronary and myocardial perfusion, lower periphere resistance and has anti-arrhythmic and economizing effects. In randomized double-blind clinical trials, key surrogates for efficacy in chronic heart insufficiency were improved. Standardized Crataegus-extracts represent an alternative to synthetic drugs in patients with NYHA II in chronic heart insufficiency.