New inotropic-vasodilating drugs in acute and chronic heart failure.

Clinical trials with new inotropic, non-adrenergic agents with vasodilating properties have open new perspectives for the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. If their mechanism of action is not exactly known, they are likely to increase C.AMP by phosphodiesterase inhibition. A clear distinction has to be made concerning short- and long-term administration of these drugs. Amrinone (A) has been administered to 10 patients with low postoperative cardiac output as unique inotropic therapy and to 34 patients in severe cardiogenic shock, despite optimal treatment. In the latter group, A was added to the preliminary drugs. In both groups of patients, hemodynamics improved significantly, except in 4 patients in group II, who died. Except in one case with thrombocytopenia and one with supraventricular dysrhythmias, no serious side-effects were noted. No long-term treatment has been carried out in our institution. The literature has widely reported that the new inotropic drugs used in class III and IV patients, are likely to increase patient's well-being and exercise capacity, but not life expectancy.