[Use of taurine in the treatment of experimental congestive heart failure]

The therapeutic effects of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine) were tested in animals with congestive heart failure (HF) simulated by aortic valve damage. The drug given in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg for a month was shown to reduce mortality rates as compared to controls, to improve the animals' clinical condition, hemodynamic and myocardial contractility parameters. Taurine was found to exert a positive action on the heart response to stresses. The impaired response in the animals restored to heart rate stimulation, catecholamines and calcium loading. The mechanisms of the agent's action are discussed in the present paper. It is suggested that taurine-based taucard will be included into the arsenal of cardiotropic agents after its clinical trials are successfully completed.