Amrinone--a new inotropic agent in chronic resistant congestive cardiac failure

A patient with severe cardiac failure due to idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy resistant to conventional therapy, responded to amrinone, a new non-glycosidic non-catecholamine positive inotropic agent. Amrinone produced significant haemodynamic improvement during both intravenous and oral administration. Thrombocytopaenia, however, was induced, necessitating cessation of the drug. Amrinone is a promising, orally effective inotropic agent for patients with refractory congestive cardiac failure, but is limited to its tendency to cause thrombocytopaenia.