PHYTOTHERAPY IN HEART-FAILURE

According to the results of experimental investigations, standardized Crataegus extracts differ markedly from other inotropic drugs used for the treatment of heart failure. Crataegus has positive inotropic, pos itive chronotropic, positive dromotropic but negative bathmotropic eff ects, increases coronary and myocardial perfusion, lowers peripheral r esistance and has antiarrhythmic and economising action with respect t o oxygen and energy consumption. In randomised double-blind clinical t rials, key surrogates required for demonstration of efficacy in heart failure were improved. Defined Crataegus extracts accordingly represen t an alternative to synthetic drugs in patients with NYHA Grade II hea rt failure.