Amrinone: a new non-glycosidic, non-adrenergic cardiotonic agent effective in the treatment of intractable myocardial failure in man.

Abstract

Chronic congestive heart failure not controlled by conventional therapy was treated with intravenous amrinone, a new non-glycosidic, non-catecholamine cardiotonic agent. Eight patients with New York Heart Association functional class III-IV symptoms were hemodynamically monitored. At peak effect, cardiac index (CI) increased from 1.84 +/- 0.32 to 2.74 +/- 0.44 l/min/m2 (mean +/- SD) (p less than 0.001) and left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) decreased from 25.8 +/- 6.2 to 19.5 +/- 6.8 mm Hg (p less than 0.05), while heart rate and mean aortic blood pressure did not change significantly. Mean endocardial circumferential fiber shortening (mean Vcf), determined by echocardiography, increased from 0.61 +/- 0.27 to 0.89 +/- 0.34 cir/sec (p less than 0.05). The duration of action after bolus infusion varied from 60--90 minutes. During continuous infusion of amrinone, sustained increases in CI and reductions in LVFP, similar to those at the time of peak effect after bolus administration, were maintained for...