Related Experiment Videos
Haemodynamic effects of a new anti-anginal drug, diltiazem hydrochloride
Insights
Diltiazem HCl, an anti-anginal drug, reduced cardiac output and work in angina patients. This decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption may benefit angina pectoris.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Angina pectoris is a condition characterized by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
- New anti-anginal drugs are continuously being developed to improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the haemodynamic effects of diltiazem HCl in patients with angina pectoris.
- To assess the impact of diltiazem HCl on cardiac function and oxygen consumption.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 20 patients diagnosed with angina pectoris.
- Haemodynamic parameters were measured using the 131I-dilution method.
- Cardiac catheterization was performed in two specific patients to further evaluate cardiac function.
Main Results:
- Diltiazem HCl significantly decreased stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac work, stroke work, and the cardiac output/circulating blood volume ratio.
- In patients with cardiac catheterization, no changes in Vmax or ejection fraction were observed, but stroke volume decreased.
- The reduction in cardiac work and stroke work was attributed to diminished venous return and prolonged systemic circulation time.
Conclusions:
- Diltiazem HCl demonstrates significant haemodynamic effects in patients with angina pectoris.
- The drug's ability to decrease myocardial oxygen consumption is postulated to provide beneficial effects for angina management.
Abstract:
The haemodynamic effects of a new anti-anginal drug, dilitazem HCl, were studied in 20 patients with angina pectoris. The 131I-dilution method was used. In two patients, one with atrial septal defect and the other with pulmonic regurgitation, heart catheterization was carried out. The drug exerted significant decrease in stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac work, stroke work and cardiac output/circulating blood volume ratio. The patients who underwent direct cardiac catheterization disclosed no changes in Vmax and ejection fraction, but there were decreases in stroke volume. The decrease in cardiac work and stroke work after after diltiazem Hcl therapy was apparently due to diminution of venous return and prolongation of systemic circulation time. It is postulated that such a decrease leads to inhibition of myocardial oxygen consumption, which in turn has beneficial effects on angina pectoris.