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[The effect of oxedrine on the left ventricle and peripheral vascular resistance]
Abstract:
The sympathomimetic substance oxedrine (Sympatol) influences, by means of its affinity to alpha- and beta-receptors, cardiac performance and peripheral vascular tone. We studied in 12 healthy male volunteers the influence of intravenous oxedrine on left ventricular contractility parameters as estimated by TM-echocardiography, on cardiac index as well as on arterial blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance. Under continuous intravenous infusion of 4 mg/min oxedrine the systolic and mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly (p less than 0.005) while the diastolic pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. The cardiac index increased (p less than 0.001) and the peripheral vascular resistance decreased significantly (p less than 0.01). The echocardiographically determined left ventricular contractility parameters, i.e. systolic shortening fraction (SF) as well as maximal velocity of shortening of the left ventricular diameter (VCFmin) also increased significantly (p less than 0.001 and 0.005, resp.). An increase in left ventricular contractility and cardiac index with concomitant decrease of peripheral vascular resistance and without increase in heart rate implies an economical increase in cardiac performance under intravenous infusion of oxedrine.
Insights
Intravenous oxedrine (Sympatol) enhances cardiac performance by increasing left ventricular contractility and cardiac index. This sympathomimetic drug improves heart function economically without raising heart rate.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Clinical Physiology
Context:
- Oxedrine (Sympatol), a sympathomimetic agent, interacts with alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.
- Understanding its effects on cardiac function and vascular tone is crucial for clinical applications.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of intravenous oxedrine on cardiac contractility, cardiac index, blood pressure, and peripheral vascular resistance in healthy volunteers.
- To assess the overall cardiac performance and efficiency under oxedrine infusion.
Summary:
- Intravenous oxedrine administration (4 mg/min) in 12 healthy males led to significant increases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, and left ventricular contractility parameters (shortening fraction and VCFmin).
- Peripheral vascular resistance significantly decreased, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged.
- These findings suggest an economical enhancement of cardiac performance.
Impact:
- Oxedrine demonstrates a capacity to improve cardiac output and contractility while reducing vascular resistance.
- The drug's ability to boost cardiac performance without increasing heart rate indicates a potentially efficient cardiovascular support mechanism.