[Effects of the PETN-piridoxylate combination in the long-term treatment of cardiac failure in the aged patient].

Vasodilator treatment with long-activity nitrate derivatives intensifies the effects of treatment with digitalis and diuretics in left ventricular insufficiency. The object of this study was to evaluate, in an open comparative trial, the clinical effects of a prolonged adjunctive treatment with Mycoril, which is composed of a sustained-release nitrate derivative (pentaerythrityl tetranitrate: PETN) and an antianoxic agent (piridoxilate). The study was conducted in 90 patients with cardiac insufficiency who were treated and followed-up for at least one year. Study patients were divided into two groups matched for age, sex and etiology. The control group (42 patients) received digitalis and diuretics; the treatment group (48 patients) was given digitalis, diuretics and Mycoril in a daily dose of 4 to 6 capsules. The results show a significant improvement of symptoms in patients with ischemic cardiac insufficiency treated with Mycoril (83%) compared with the control group (52%) (p less than 0,03). Diuretics were needed in lower doses or withdrawn in a significantly higher number of patients in the Mycoril group (67%) than in the control group (38%) (p less than 0,01). This study provides clinical confirmation of the value of adjunctive treatment with a product such as Mycoril in patients under digitalis and diuretic therapy.