Alteration of hepatic drug metabolism in female patients with congestive cardiac failure.

Antipyrine was used to assess the status of drug metabolism in ten female patients with congestive cardiac failure. Ten age-matched female subjects were used as controls. Patients showed a 40% increase in antipyrine plasma half-life (APH). Elimination constant (Ke) was decreased by 19% in patients as compared to controls. The area under the curve (AUC) was increased by 32% in the patient group. The routine liver function tests did not show any significant alteration in the patients. Increase in APH and AUC and decrease in Ke suggest impaired hepatic drug metabolism in patients with congestive cardiac failure.