Treatment of acute left heart failure using dobutamine and intraaortic counterpulsation. Animal experiments and first clinical experiences.

Ten anesthetized mongrel dogs had a left anterolateral thoracotomy; the left anterior descending coronary artery was then ligated. After 60 min five animals each were treated either with dobutamine (4 microgram/min/kg; for 10 min), or with dobutamine and intraaortic counterpulsation. Combined treatment of cardiogenic shock proved superior. Those five dogs had significantly lower heart rates and dp/dt/p-values. Due to IABP the non-ischemic parts of the left ventricle were better perfused; there was no difference in treatment with regard to ischemic parts. The combined treatment was successfully inaugurated in two patients with cardiogenic shock.