Ibopamine versus digoxin in the treatment of mild congestive heart failure. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

We describe a randomized double-blind 4-week study on the efficacy of monotherapy with ibopamine 200 mg b.i.d. in comparison to placebo and open titrated digoxin in patients with mild congestive heart failure NYHA class I and II. A total of 60 patients (22 males and 38 females) were evaluated for body weight, signs and symptoms score and the need for additional diuretic treatment for adequate symptom control. Mean decreases in body weight in the ibopamine group exceeded mean decreases in body weight in the placebo group (3.03 kg). The signs and symptoms score was improved in 7 out of 20 patients in the placebo group, in all patients treated with ibopamine and in 21 of 22 patients of the digoxin subgroup while the patient-questionnaire score improved in 23.5% (placebo), 100% (ibopamine) and 81.2% (digoxin) of the cases, respectively. There were no treatment failures in the ibopamine and digoxin group. However, 8 of 20 patients receiving placebo had need of additional diuretic therapy. No adverse drug reactions were reported in the ibopamine-treated patients. We conclude that ibopamine monotherapy over 4 weeks has favourable effects on body weight and signs and symptoms of mild congestive heart failure without exerting major side effects. The efficacy is comparable to digoxin therapy.