Intravenous amrinone is advertised as a major advance in inotropic therapy for severe heart failure, but the evidence for its advantages over dopamine or dobutamine appears minimal.
Does intravenous amrinone offer clinical advantages over existing inotropic agents in patients with severe heart failure?
This editorial questions the clinical superiority of intravenous amrinone over existing inotropes like dopamine and dobutamine for severe heart failure.
Editorials1 March 1985Intravenous Amrinone: An Advance or a Wrong Step?JOSEPH A. FRANCIOSA, M.D.JOSEPH A. FRANCIOSA, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-102-3-399 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAmrinone is a nonglycosidic, non-catecholamine-dependent, inotropic vasodilator agent that has recently been made available for intravenous use in patients with severe heart failure. Because other agents, such as dopamine, dobutamine, and nitroprusside, are available and have actions similar to those of amrinone in patients with heart failure, the usefulness of this newer agent must be put in perspective.Amrinone is advertised as a "major advance" in inotropic therapy because of its alleged advantages of more sustained action than dopamine or dobutamine and reduction of myocardial oxygen demand. The evidence for these claims and their importance appears minimal. Recent reports indicate...References1. WILMSHURSTTHOMPSONJENKINSCOLTARTWEBB-PEPLOE PDBDM. Haemodynamic effects of intravenous amrinone in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Br Heart J. 1983;49:77-82. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. WILMSHURSTWALKERFRY PJC. Inotropic and vasodilator effects of amrinone on isolated human tissue. Cardiovasc Res. 1984;18:302-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. HERMILLERLEITHEMAGORIENUNVERFERTHLEIER JMRDC. Amrinone in severe congestive heart failure: another look at an intriguing new cardioactive drug. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1984;228:319-26. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. WILMSHURSTTHOMPSONJUULJENKINSCOLTARTWEBB-PEPLOE PDSBDM. Comparison of the effects of amrinone and sodium nitroprusside on haemodynamics, contractility, and myocardial metabolism in patients with cardiac failure due to coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. Br Heart J. 1984;52:38-48. 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Where are we heading?Intravenous AmrinoneRICHARD A. GOLDSTEIN, M.D., GERALD V. NACCARELLI, M.D. 1 March 1985Volume 102, Issue 3Page: 399-400KeywordsDopamineHeart failureOxygenVasodilators Issue Published: 1 March 1985 PDF downloadLoading ...
Joseph A. Franciosa (Fri,) conducted a editorial in severe heart failure. Intravenous Amrinone vs. dopamine, dobutamine, and nitroprusside was evaluated. Intravenous amrinone is advertised as a major advance in inotropic therapy for severe heart failure, but the evidence for its advantages over dopamine or dobutamine appears minimal.