A. Petry et P. Dutschke, EFFECTS OF AMRINONE ON LEFT AND RIGHT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED MYOCARDIAL PERFORMANCE DURING GENERAL-ANESTHESIA, British Journal of Anaesthesia, 72(5), 1994, pp. 567-570
We have studied the effects of amrinone on left and right ventricular
haemodynamics in patients with impaired ventricular performance caused
by coronary artery disease. Anaesthesia was achieved with fentanyl, f
lunitrazepam and pancuronium. After reaching steady state, a bolus dos
e of amrinone 0.5 mg kg(-1) was administered followed by an infusion o
f 1 mg kg(-1) h(-1). Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and ot
her haemodynamic variables were evaluated at six times: before, 5, 10,
15, 20 and 30 min after bolus administration of amrinone. Amrinone le
d to a 23% increase in cardiac index resulting mainly from reduction i
n afterload. While central venous pressure and mean pulmonary artery p
ressure remained unchanged, RVEF increased by 28%. This effect may be
interpreted as an improvement in right ventricular performance.