Haemodynamic evaluation of ibopamine in severe congestive heart failure

Ten patients suffering from refractory congestive heart failure were treated orally with Ibopamine 100 mg. The haemodynamic effects were evaluated with a Swan-Ganz catheter and thermodilution technique, 1 and 2 h after treatment. Ibopamine significantly increased the cardiac index and stroke work index, and decreased pulmonary pressure and the pulmonary and peripheral vascular resistances without affecting heart rate or blood pressure.