The acute hemodynamic effects of a new agent, MDL 17,043, in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Abstract

MDL 17,043 administered i.v. or orally exerts positive inotropic and vasodilator actions in experimental animal [dog] preparations. Its acute hemodynamic effects in 15 patients with severe congestive heart failure were studied by right-heart catheterization. MDL 17,043 i.v. at 10 min increased cardiac index (3.4 .+-. 0.8 vs. 1.9 .+-. 0.4 l/min per m2), narrowed arteriovenous O2 content difference (4.6 .+-. 0.8 vs. 7.8 .+-. 2.0 vol%), increased heart rate (98 .+-. 14 vs. 89 .+-. 18 beats/min) and decreased systemic arterial (67 .+-. 10 vs. 83 .+-. 11 mm Hg), pulmonary capillary wedge (12 .+-. 5 vs. 24 .+-. 5 mm Hg) and right atrial (6 .+-. 5 vs. 12 .+-. 7 mm Hg) mean pressures significantly (P < 0.001). In 11 patients, hemodynamics were monitored hourly for 6 h. Compared with baseline, the cardiac index and heart rate were higher and mean systemic arterial pressure was lower for 6 h; pulmonary capillary and right atrial mean pressures were significantly lower for 5 h. No serious arrhythmias or side effects occurred. MDL 17,043 may be useful for treating congestive heart failure.