Current status of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

The phosphodiesterase inhibitors have been recognised as potent inotropic and vasodilating drugs. In acute congestive heart failure they increase cardiac output, decrease left pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and reduce total peripheral resistance with an improvement in loading conditions of the failing heart. Their potency in reversal of symptoms of acute congestive heart failure is quite similar to, or even better than, treatment with intravenous catecholamines and sodium nitroprusside. In chronic congestive heart failure, however, these agents increase mortality and have deleterious effects in the outcome of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.