[Changes in heart function during the use of the peripheral vasodilator diazoxide on arterial hypertension patients]

An acute depression of arterial blood pressure (ABP) was achieved using intravenous injections of 300 mg diasoxide in 29 patients with persistent arterial hypertension. Peripheral vascular resistance dropped significantly, and the minute volume slightly increased at the point of the deepest ABP fall. Intracardiac hemodynamics showed no significant changes. Myocardial contractility, as determined by dp/dtmax and ABP d/IC, increased in the presence of a relatively small ABP decrease (by 20-25% of the original values), and decreased when ABP dropped by 30% or more. These changes may be related to reduced coronary flow where ABP fall is significant.