Echocardiographic evaluation of the effects of gallopamil on left ventricular function

Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to determine global and regional left ventricular function in 32 patients treated with gallopamil (methoxyverapamil) for angina pectoris. Ejection fraction (EF), pressure/volume ratio (PVR), and segmental wall motion were assessed. Evaluations were made before therapy (T1) and repeated 3 weeks later; this assessment included examination 2 and 8 hours after the morning dose (T2 and T3, respectively). Patients were randomized to either a placebo group or three study groups (25, 37.5, and 50 mg t.i.d.). In the 37.5 and 50 mg groups there was an increase in EF (T1 = 53.8% and 54.5%, T2 = 57.9% and 60.1%, and T3 = 57.6% and 60%) and PVR values (T1 = 5.2 and 7.2 mm Hg/ml/m2, T2 = 5.8 and 7.7 mm Hg/ml/m2, and T3 = 5.9 and 7.6 mm Hg/ml/m2, respectively). Wall motion remained the same or improved in 92.3% of the patients. In conclusion, gallopamil had no cardiodepressant effects in most patients. On the contrary, EF, PVR, and segmental contractility tended to improve with the higher doses.