Vasodilator therapy, including phentolamine, sodium nitroprusside, nitrates, and hydralazine, is based on physiologic principles of reducing ventricular outflow resistance to augment cardiac output.
The excitement of clinical investigation, much like that of symphonic music, lies in following the development of a theme from its initial strains to its full orchestral splendor. Such an exposition is now taking place in the use of vasodilators to treat heart failure.The physiologic principles on which vasodilator therapy for heart failure is based are rooted in numerous early experiments demonstrating the importance of ventricular outflow resistance (or aortic impedance) on the performance of the left ventricle. Reports that intravenous infusion of phentolamine or sodium nitroprusside and oral administration of nitrates or hydralazine could markedly augment cardiac output, . . .
Jay N. Cohn (Thu,) conducted a editorial in Heart failure. Vasodilator therapy was evaluated. Vasodilator therapy, including phentolamine, sodium nitroprusside, nitrates, and hydralazine, is based on physiologic principles of reducing ventricular outflow resistance to augment cardiac output.