Key result
The combination of isoproterenol and glucagon produced greater effects on cardiac output than either drug alone, without increasing side effects.
Why the study?
The clinical usefulness of glucagon in patients with organic heart disease and its potential enhancement by combination with isoproterenol was unclear.
Isoproterenol and glucagon were administered separately and in combination by constant rate of intravenous infusion to 13 patients with organic heart disease. Glucagon produced modest increases in cardiac output, heart rate, and arterial pulse pressure. Isoproterenol produced increases in cardiac output and heart rate greater than that achieved with glucagon alone and also increased arterial pulse pressure, stroke volume, and mean rate of left ventricular ejection and decreased systemic vascular resistance. The same doses of isoproterenol and glucagon in combination produced a greater effect on cardiac output than that achieved with either drug alone and had a greater effect on heart rate and arterial pulse pressure than did glucagon alone. There was no increase in the side effects of either drug associated with their administration in combination. The present study suggests that the clinical usefulness of glucagon may be enhanced by administering glucagon in combination with isoproterenol in order to obtain the additive hemodynamic benefit of these drugs while minimizing their undesirable side effects.
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Polumbo et al. (1971) studied organic heart disease (n=13). Isoproterenol and glucagon combination vs. Isoproterenol alone and glucagon alone was evaluated on Cardiac output, heart rate, and arterial pulse pressure. The combination of isoproterenol and glucagon produced greater effects on cardiac output than either drug alone, without increasing side effects.
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