[The efficacy of spironolacton in cardiopulmonary insufficiency (author's transl)]

In 17 patients with cardiopulmonary insufficiency the authors found a significant positive inotropic heart effect and a moderate improvement of ventilation after one injection of 400 mg Spirolacton. 2. The positive inotropic effect is experimentally confirmed in 8 dwarf pigs. 3. In 13 patients with severe cardiac and cardiopulmonary insufficiency a tendency to normalization of arterial blood gases, of actual bicarbonate and of vital capacity was found. There may be an indirect effect on the respiratory center by alteration of acid-base-status and by diuresis causing diminuation of pulmonary compliance. Spironolacton seems to be a valuable therpeutical completion in cardiac and cardiopulmonary insufficency in its intravenous quick application and its oral time application.