PIMOBENDAN A NOVEL POSITIVE INOTROPIC AND VASODILATING DRUG FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE IN DOGS - IN A COMPARATIVE TRIAL AGAINST DIGOXIN

Pimobendan is a novel drug, developed for the therapy of congestive he art failure in dogs. Because of its main effect as a calcium sensitize r in combination with its phosphodiesterase III inhibition, Pimobendan exhibits positive inotropic as well as vasodilatory properties. In a randomised field study in two veterinary clinics, Pimobendan was teste d at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg b.w. against a therapy with Digoxin. If necessary, furosemide was allowed to be used as an additional therapy in both groups. A total of 60 dogs in the Pimobendan group and 49 dog s in the Digoxin group were evaluated. Pimobendan was superior in all parameters relevant to the assessment of heart failure. In comparison to the Digoxin group, dogs treated with Pimobendan clearly showed a gr eater decrease in dyspnoea. Ail patients were divided into one of four classes as described by the New York Heart Association. Dogs receivin g Pimobendan improved significantly more than the dogs in the Digoxin group. Accordingly, the overall success of therapy was definitely bett er with Pimobendan when compared to Digoxin. In addition, significantl y fewer side effects were reported in dogs in the Pimobendan group com pared to the dogs in the Digoxin group. After termination of the study , there was an optional continuation of therapy. Medication was contin ued in significantly more dogs receiving Pimobendan than Digoxin, resu lting in recorded findings of four months or longer. During this time, the incidence of sudden death was less in the Pimobendan group compar ed to the Digoxin group. it is concluded from this data that Pimobenda n at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg b.w, can be definitively recommended fo r the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs. Pimobendan was cl early superior in both clinical efficacy and side effects compared to a therapy with Digoxin.