Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
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Comparative Study
[Central and regional vascular hemodynamics of milrinone in experimental heart failure: comparison with captopril and dobutamine].
The present study was designed to evaluate the regional vascular profile of milrinone in the setting of experimental heart failure. Utilizing the rat model of myocardial infarction and failure (average infarct size 28%), we measured cardiac output (CO), arterial pressure (MAP), LVEDP, heart rate and systemic vascular resistance, as well as regional blood flow (radioactive microspheres 15 +/- 5 microns) before and after milrinone i.v. (20 microns/kg bolus, 3 micrograms/kg/min infusion) in the conscious state (LVEDP 22 mm Hg versus 10 mm Hg in the sham-operated group, p less than 0.01). Similarly, central hemodynamics and regional blood flow were determined before and after dobutamine or captopril, administering equipotent doses. ⋯ In contrast to captopril, the effects of milrinone on renal perfusion were modest. These results demonstrate the potent vasodilator activity of milrinone, which is independent of its direct-positive inotropic effects, being most prominent in the splanchnic, coronary and skeletal muscle circulation. The latter might have clinical relevance since improved muscular flow during exercise is likely to improve exercise capacity in heart failure after long-term treatment.