[The effect of tilidine on left-ventricular function of the human heart (author's transl)]

The effect of tilidine (Valoron, 1.5 mg/kg) on left-ventricular function was measured in ten patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. In the course of thirty minutes after administration there was a small fall in systemic arterial pressure, decrease in cardiac output, cardiac index and stroke volume, as well as a change in the isovolumetric inotropic state. Haemodynamic and inotropic changes were small in amount, varying between 3.4 and 14.5% of basal values. This study indicates that tilidine, while having a powerful analgesic effect, has only a mild contractility-inhibiting action. Tilidine is thus a useful alternative as an analgesic in cardiac pain.