Cardiomechanical effect of k-strophanthoside administered to healthy volunteers by the rectal route.

Eight healthy volunteers were given k-strophanthoside (Strofopan) 1 mg rectally in order to evaluate changes in the cardiac function. Cardiomechanical measurements were performed by the polygraphic method before administering the drug and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h later. Three of the eight subjects continued to receive k-strophanthoside 1 mg daily for a further 6 days. Similar evaluations were made at the same times on day 3 and on day 7 of treatment. All indices considered varied to a statistically significant extent and showed the maximum effect at about the 4th h. The most evident changes were observed in the ICT and the PEP/LVET ratio. Here, the maximum variations were 46.3% and 29.5%, respectively, as compared with baseline values (P less than 0.01). When treatment was given for 7 days, the baseline values measured on day 3 and day 7 before administration showed a moderate and constant decrease in all parameters as compared with the first baseline value. This proves that k-strophanthoside administered rectally possesses steady-state activity with time. From a comparison of the changes in the same parameters as observed in a previous investigation after administering digoxin 0.50 mg orally there is reason to conclude that the effects obtained after administering k-strophanthoside 1 mg rectally were of the same magnitude.