Long-term treatment of congestive heart failure with oral ibopamine. Effects of rhythm disorders and neurohormonal alterations

• Published in: Cardiology Vol. 77 Suppl 5; p. 43
• Main Authors: Caponnetto, S, Terrachini, V, Canale, C, Bruzzone, F, Masperone, M A, Pastorino, L, Licciardello, L, Marchetti, G V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 1990
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Aged; Aldosterone - blood; Angiotensin II - blood; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - blood; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology; Cardiotonic Agents; Deoxyepinephrine - administration & dosage; Deoxyepinephrine - adverse effects; Deoxyepinephrine - analogs & derivatives; Drug Therapy, Combination; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory - drug effects; Female; Heart Failure - blood; Heart Failure - drug therapy; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Humans; Long-Term Care; Male; Middle Aged; Neurotransmitter Agents - blood; Norepinephrine - blood; Renin - blood; Vasodilator Agents
• ISSN: 0008-6312
• DOI: 10.1159/000174695

A group of 30 patients with II-III NYHA class cardiac insufficiency was treated with ibopamine in association with other drugs for a 6-month period. The patients were submitted to a 24-h ambulatory ECG Holter monitoring, chest X-ray, Doppler echocardiography in order to calculate total peripheral vascular resistance. Blood levels of aldosterone and renin-angiotensin activity in plasma were also measured, together with norepinephrine excretion. The measurements and recordings were performed in basal conditions before the trial, and were repeated after the first, second, third and sixth month. Laboratory tests were performed at the baseline and after 6 months. The results showed a significant decline in the number of ventricular and supraventricular ectopic beats after treatment. Heart rate did not change. Cardio-thoracic ratio decreased significantly along with peripheral vascular resistance. A very noticeable decline in all three neurohormonal parameters, i.e. norepinephrine excretion, blood level of aldosterone and renin activity in plasma was observed after 1 month's treatment, and this reduction was still present without any attenuation after 6 months. No significant changes were observed in routine laboratory tests.