[Effects of diazepam on intracardiac hemodynamics in patients with chronic cardiac failure]

Diazepam effects on intracardiac hemodynamics were studied in 45 patients with ischemic heart disease. The patients were divided into 3 groups: a control group (n = 13), a group with a systolic dysfunction (EF < 45%, n = 16) and a group with a diastolic dysfunction (E/A < 1.0, n = 16). Echocardiography was made before and after intravenous injection of 10 mg diazepam (relanium, "Polfa). The above diazepam injection improved heart rate and diastolic blood pressure in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, cardiac pump function improved in patients with initial diastolic or systolic dysfunction. In the controls these parameters worsened. Diastolic function was not influenced much in all the three groups. Thus, combination of a sedative effect, a moderate positive action on cardiac pump function and no negative impact on diastolic filling characterizes diazepam as a stress-limiting medicine in patients with chronic cardiac failure.