[Pimobendan (UDCG 115 BS) in long-term therapy of chronic heart failure]

Pimobendan is a positive inotropic agent with additional calcium-sensitizing effects of the phosphodiesterase III-inhibitor group. In short-term studies, beneficial hemodynamic effects have been demonstrated in patients with congestive heart failure. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the long-term effect of pimobendan (during at least 6 months) on subjective state, hemodynamic parameters, and arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure NYHA classes II and III. After double-blind randomization, 24 patients received pimobendan 5 mg bid or placebo orally in addition to a basic therapy (diuretics, digitalis). After 3 months, pimobendan-treated patients showed a significant clinical improvement (p < 0.03). In the placebo group, one patient underwent acute cardiac transplantation due to rapid clinical deterioration; another patient died suddenly after 5 months. No cardiac events occurred in the pimobendan group. In comparison to placebo, no proarrhythmogenic effect of pimobendan was detected. Clinical stabilization of patients in the pimobendan group was not paralleled by improvement of the hemodynamic parameters of left-ventricular performance.