[Immediate and long-term effects of prazosin on hemodynamics in chronic cardiac insufficiency]

Prazosine was studied in the treatment of chronic heart failure in 17 patients. The immediate effects were a reduction in pulmonary capillary pressure (22,9+/-8,8 mmHg to 15,5+/-7,4 mmHg, p less than 0,001), mean pulmonary artery pressure (34,2+/-10,6 mmHg to 23,8+/-9,2 mmHg, p less than 0,001), an increase in cardiac index (2,13+/-0,5 to 2,70+/-0,68 l/mn/m2 p less than 0,01), a reduction in mean systolic blood pressure (95,6+/-12,9 to 80,8+/-10,6 mmHg, p less than 0,001) and systemic resistance (1983+/-464 to 1 370+/-406 dynes.sec.cm-5). Heart rate did not change significantly. The long-term effects were assessed after 2 months continuous treatment in 14 patients. There was a clear-cut symptomatic improvement in the patients. This was without doubt related to the increase in cardiac output (+24 p. 100) which persisted at long term. On the other hand, the preload rose to its pre-treatment levels as did the blood pressure. This study confirms the value of Prazosine in the long-term treatment of chronic cardiac failure.