[Haemodynamic effects of depot zinc protamine glucagon in heart failure (author's transl)]

In contrast to intravenously-administered crystallene glucagon, which acts for 20 minutes only, the depot form, zinc protamine glucagon, shows a prolonged haemodynamic action. Fourteen patients with pre-existing heart failure received a single dose of 20 mg Zn protamine glucagon intramuscularly. The stroke volume and cardiac output were increased, whereas the mean and end-diastolic pulmonary pressure were decreased, indicating a positive inotropic action of the administered drug. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure remained almost unchanged. The haemodynamic changes started 60 minutes after intramuscular administration of the drug, reached a maximum effect at 3 hours and started to decrease after the fourth hour. Zn protamine glucagon can, therefore, be considered a beneficial drug in the treatment of digitalis-resistant heart failure on the basis of its long duration of action and easy route of administration.