[The efficacy of lanikor in treating patients with chronic cor pulmonale].

Cardiac glycoside lanicor produced in Yugoslavia ("Pliva") was administered to 43 patients with decompensated chronic cor pulmonale (DCCP). Blood concentrations of the drug given at a dose of 0.25 mg were evaluated over 24 h, in peak saturation, during therapy with maintenance doses. A daily loss of therapeutic activity of the drug was established. The total, mean and maintenance doses were determined. Tetrapolar rheography and right ventricular kinetocardiography found lanicor-related changes in the central and pulmonary hemodynamics. A positive cardiotonic response in DCCP patients appeared in 80.2% of those treated. A significant relationship existed between serum concentrations of lanicor and enhancement of myocardial contractility. The therapeutic concentration ranged from 1.2 to 1.9 ng/ml. A mean effective dose equalled 2.0 mg, whereas a recommended average maintenance dose 0.6 mg. The elimination coefficient reached 30%. Resistance to the drug occurred in 19.8% of the patients in the lack of correlation between the therapeutic dose and clinical effect.