[Long-term clinical and hemodynamic results of the treatment of refractory cardiac failure with molsidomine].

Molsidomine, one of the sydnonimine group of drugs; the object of this study was to evaluate its efforts in refractory cardiac failure. In the first part of the study, the haemodynamic effects of a single oral dose of 2 or 4 mg of molsidomine were compared with placebo controls in 23 patients. This showed molsidomine to be an active venous vasodilator reducing pulmonary artery and right atrial pressures without changing cardiac index or systemic pressures. The peak effect was observed after 1 to 1,5 hours. In the second phase, molsidomine was used in 9 patients aged 32 to 71 years (mean 47 +/- 12 years) over an average period of 19 months (3,5 to 42 months). The maintenance dose varied from 8 to 24 mg/24 hours. These patients had refractory cardiac failure secondary to primary cardiomyopathy with dilatation (6 cases) or ischemic heart disease (3 cases). The 9 patients were in functional classes IV (5 cases) or III (4 cases). Four patients were theoretically good indications for transplantation. Haemodynamic control was performed 1,8 +/- 5 months after a washout period of 8 hours, and after initial right heart catheterisation, the measurements were repeated 1 hour after oral administration of a 4 mg dose of molsidomine. Two patients did not respond initially to molsidomine; one died, the other remained in functional Class III. Another patient who responded initially was improved for over two years but died in cardiac failure after 42 months' treatment. The other six patients have been significantly improved and were in functional Class II at their last control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)