[Effects of Prenalterol on left ventricular function of coronary patients].

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Prenalterol on cardiovascular beta adrenergic system of 12 coronary artery disease patients with a previous myocardial infarction. For this purpose, left ventricular function was assessed before and after intravenous administration of 30 gamma/Kg of Prenalterol, under a constant heart rate, provided by atrial pacing. Prenalterol induced a significant improvement of left ventricular contractility (dp/dt pos.-VCEmax-Vmax d), relaxation (dp/dt neg.-T constant), ventricular compliance (total diastolic compliance-modulus of chamber stiffness-end-diastolic compliance) and pump (ejection fraction) indices. These results suggest the potential usefulness of Prenalterol in severe acute cardiac failure.