Left ventricular dysfunction after intravenous tartar emetic.

Left ventricular dysfunction had been reported in many patients suffering from schistosomal cor pulmonale. The nocuous agents affecting the left ventricle have not been defined. Antischistosomal therapy is suspected to contribute in the adverse effects on the myocardium, particularly antimonials and niridazole. In this study, the left ventricular performance was studied in 29 patients suffering from schistosomiasis before and 30 min after i.v. therapeutic dose of a tartar emetic. After the injection, the PEPI and PEPI/LVETI were increased, the LVETI was abbreviated, EF. was reduced, the LVEDP was raised, the peak dp/dt and the Vmax were reduced. Toxic effects of the T.E. on the myocardium and diminished contractility of the left ventricle were presumed to be caused by T.E. Other factors adversely affecting the myocardium in patients suffering from schistosomiasis cannot be excluded.