Pharmacological studies with SK&F 94120, a novel positive inotropic agent with vasodilator activity

The pharmacological properties of SK&F 94120 on the cardiovascular system have been studied in laboratory animal species. The compound was shown to have positive inotropic activity on hearts from guinea-pig, cat, dog and marmoset in-vitro and in cat and dog in-vivo. These responses in-vivo occurred in association with minimal changes in heart rate. Positive inotropic activity was not caused by SK&F 94120 in rat or hamster hearts in-vitro, thereby indicating a species dependence in myocardial response. SK&F 94120 was shown to have vasodilator activity in cats in-vivo. Detailed studies carried out on anaesthetized cats indicated that the compound caused a balanced dilatation of both resistance and capacitance blood vessels. Haemodynamic studies in anaesthetized cats indicated that, as a consequence of the positive inotropic and vasodilator actions, SK&F 94120 causes significant increases in cardiac output and stroke volume. Studies in conscious dogs showed the compound to be active as a positive inotrope after oral administration. The above properties suggest that this compound possesses useful haemodynamic properties for the treatment of congestive heart failure.