[Long term therapy over nine years with Spironolacton in hydropic cardiac insufficiency]

The effect of the aldosterone-antagonist Spironolacton in decompensated hydropic cardiac insufficiency is explored with patients not re-compensated under a glycosid-diuretica-therapy. This analysis is based on the clinical records and other documents of 34 patients with most serious oedematous cardiac insufficiency of different genesis. For elucidation of the result of the clinical treatment two casuistic cases are described. The probability of mortality or survival-rate is calculated, periods of observation could be achieved up to more than nine years. It is endeavoured to compare the results with observations of patients-collectives, that are known from the literature. Statistically significant decreases in weight are objectified. When examining the reactions of blood-pressure at the Spironolacton-therapy no statistically significant alterations of blood-pressure could be observed with those cardiac-decompensated patients. 6.25 per cent of the considered serum-potassium-data were underneath the limitations of lower standard, at 1.875 per cent of the measured values a hyperkalemia existed. No clinical side-effects could be observed except the incidence of a gynaecomastia with two male patients. A protracted therapy with Spironolacton for patients with decompensated hydropical myocardial insufficiency is appropriated to support recompensation in addition to the hitherto conventional possibilities of therapy, and to maintain this achieved re-compensation.