[Cardio-circulatory effects of aminophylline (Euphyllin) (author's transl)]

In 24 patients with congenital or acquired heart disease, functional class II--IV New York Heart Association Classification, effects of aminophylline on hemodynamics have been investigated intraoperatively, during extracorporeal circulation and postoperatively. Aminophylline caused a decrease in arterial pressure, left ventricular pressure, right and left atrial pressure, total systemic resistance and total pulmonary resistance. At the same time there was an increase in heart peak, peak dp/dt, cardiac index and stroke index. Our results demonstrate beneficial cardiac and extracardiac effects of aminophylline in man.