The new phosphodiesterase inhibitor enoximone in patients following cardiac surgery--pharmacokinetics and influence on parameters of coagulation.

Enoximone is a selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase-III enzyme (PDE-III) and possesses positive inotropic and vasodilatory properties. The PDE-inhibitor amrinone has been associated with adverse effects on coagulation by decreasing platelets. To investigate the influence of enoximone on hemostasis, 18 patients undergoing elective aorto-coronary bypass grafting and receiving enoximone were compared to a control group (n = 18). In addition, the plasma levels of enoximone and its major metabolite (enoximone-sulfoxide) were studied following a single injection (0.5 mg/kg) and during a continuous infusion (5 and 10 micrograms/kg.min) before, during and after extracorporeal circulation (ECC). No difference between study and control groups was found for the parameters of coagulation during the investigation period; in particular there were no differences in platelet count and platelet function (thrombelastography). Following the single bolus, peak plasma levels decreased during ECC to ineffective levels. Continuous infusion, however, maintained effective plasma levels of enoximone; sulfoxide levels were twice as high as enoximone concentrations up until the end of the investigation period. It is concluded that enoximone can be judged to be safe in respect to its effects on coagulation even following ECC and at relatively high doses. The use of continuous infusion results in plasma levels which remain at an effective concentration through to the time that the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit.