[Effects of etozoline in patients with acute cardiac failure]

Fifteen patients (10 M, 5 F; mean age 68.3 years) with acute heart failure III-IV NYHA class, were treated with etozoline (mean daily dose 666 mg) for 7 days. Symptoms of cardiac decompensation disappeared; no changes of blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. Daily urine volume increased from 790.9 +/- 327.0 ml to 1622.7 +/- 220.6 ml and body weight decreased from 71.5 +/- 5.8 kg to 69.6 +/- 5.2 kg. No changes of serum Na+, urinary Na+ excretion, appeared, but K+ excretion increased and serum K+ fell from 4.1 +/- 0.4 mEq/l to 3.6 +/- 0.45 mEq/l. No subjective side effects were reported. Renal-liver function and glyco-lipid balance were not affected. In conclusion, etozoline is a safe and effective diuretic agent in the treatment of acute cardiac failure.