Hemodynamic pattern following K-strophanthin in normal and coronary artery disease patients

Hemodynamic effects of K-strophanthin (0.005 mg/kg i.v.) were evaluated in 7 normal and in 13 non-failing coronary artery disease patients (CAD). Volumetric parameters were obtained by single plane left ventricular angiography. The indexes of "pump" function, the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship and the ratio of peak pressure to systolic volume were also evaluated. Heart rate was maintained constant by atrial pacing. In normal subjects K-strophanthin exerted small effects without peripheral vasoconstriction. CAD patients showed different response to K-strophanthin in vascular tone: an increase (Group 1) or a decrease (Group 2) in total systemic resistance (TSR). No significant differences were found in basal values between the two CAD groups. In Group 2 the indexes of "pump" function increased after K-strophanthin and the end-systolic pressure-volume points shifted upward and to the left, while in Group 1 no improvement in cardiac function was observed and the end-systolic pressure-volume points shifted upward and to the right. Furthermore, we found a direct significant correlation between the percent changes of TSR and end-systolic volume index, and a negative significant correlation between the percent changes of TSR and stroke volume index. Our results show that K-strophanthin in CAD non-failing patients can have either a positive effect or a lack of improvement in ventricular performance. These effects correlate with changes in total systemic resistance.