Perspectives on n-3 PUFAs: primary prevention, antiarrhythmic effects, congestive heart failure

Adverse hemodynamic effects of antiarrhythmic drugs in congestive heart failure.

Therapy and Prevention Congestive Heart Failure

Studies in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have demonstrated an abnormal /3-adrenergic reflex vasodilation during orthostatic tilt. Baroreflex modulation of vascular resistance in patients with CHF was investigated during therapy with a vasoselective calcium antagonist, felodipinre. Eight patients on conventional therapy for severe CHF were studied after a 3 week course of addition...

Therapy and Prevention Congestive Heart Failure

Minoxidil, a potent predominant arterial dilator, improves hemodynamics over the short term in patients with heart failure. In random double-blind fashion 17 patients with chronic left heart failure were given minoxidil (nine patients) or placebo (eight patients) in addition to digoxin and diuretics for 3 months. Cardiac index and heart rate increased and mean arterial pressure and systemic vas...

Therapy and Prevention Congestive Heart Failure

Hemodynamic effects of dopamine and intravenous nitroglycerin alone, and in combination, were studied in 27 patients with severe left ventricular failure. Dopamine alone increased cardiac index from 1.8 to 2.5 1/min/m2 but also increased wedge pressure from 24 to 30 mm Hg and heart rate from 88 to 101 beats/min. Arterial oxygen saturation fell from 92% to 87% (p < .001). Nitroglycerin alone had...

Therapy and Prevention Congestive Heart Failure

Eleven patients with severe left ventricular impairment (mean ejection fraction 24%) and moderate impairment of exercise tolerance underwent a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of the orally administered /3-agonist prenalterol. Exercise hemodynamics and tolerance were measured during bicycle and treadmill exercise after 2 weeks of therapy with placebo or prenalterol. Cardiac ind...