Oral hydralazine therapy in patients with refractory heart failure significantly decreased systemic vascular resistance by 42% and increased cardiac index by 70%, leading to clinical improvement.
Observational (n=10)
Does oral hydralazine improve hemodynamics and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic refractory heart failure?
Oral hydralazine acts as an effective vasodilator that significantly improves cardiac output and reduces systemic vascular resistance, leading to symptomatic improvement in patients with severe, refractory heart failure.
The hemodynamic effects of oral hydralazine were investigated in ten patients (nine in NYHA Class IV and one in Class III) with chronic refractory heart failure. With hemodynamic monitoring, adequate oral doses of hydralazine (50 or 75 mg) were determined and then administered every six hours. Hemodynamics were determined at 2-3, 6-8 and 24 hours on hydralazine therapy. Arterial pressure decreased slightly (5%) and systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly (42%). Cardiac and stroke volume index increased by 70 and 66%, respectively, without any significant change in heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge or right atrial pressure. Hemodynamic improvement was associated with clinical improvement without a major complication. During the follow-up period of 3-7 months, seven of nine patients were in NYHA Class II and one in Class III. One other patient died suddenly six weeks after discharge. These findings suggest that hydralazine in an effective oral vasodilator for the treatment of refractory heart failure.
Chatterjee et al. (1976) conducted an observational in chronic refractory heart failure (n=10). oral hydralazine was evaluated on Hemodynamic effects including systemic vascular resistance and cardiac index. Oral hydralazine therapy in patients with refractory heart failure significantly decreased systemic vascular resistance by 42% and increased cardiac index by 70%, leading to clinical improvement.