Effectiveness of digitoxin versus trichlormethiazide amiloride in congestive heart failure NYHA class II III and sinus rhythm

The effects of digitoxin and/or diuretic agents were investigated in patien ts with congestive heart failure (CHF) in sinus rhythm with respect to chan ges in hemodynamic parameters, cardiac dimensions, and bicycle ergometric e xercise capacity. In a randomized, double-blind study, 16 male patients wit h CHF NYHA class II and III received a placebo for 1 week (baseline) and th en were randomly allocated, double blind, to take either digitoxin (digital is group, DI: N = 8) or trichlormethiazide/amiloride (diuretic group, DG: N = 8) for 3 weeks (VP I). The patients who were first treated with digitoxi n received the diuretic agent for a further 3 weeks and vice versa (VP II). At baseline and after VP I and II, a physical examination, 2D echocardiogr aphy, and bicycle ergometry were performed. Heart rate (HR), systolic (BPs) , and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure at rest, and BPs at 50 watts, were not significantly changed during the observation period. HR at 50 watts was de creased in DI (11.5 +/- 10.1 beats/mh) after VP I and II, but not in DG. BP d was significantly reduced after VP II in DI (8.2 +/- 4.6 mmHg) and in DG (9.3 +/- 8.9 mmHg). DI presents at baseline significantly higher end-diasto lic (LVEDV) and end-systolic (LVESV) left ventricular dimensions, whereas l eft atrial diameter (LA) and stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (LVEF ) were not significantly different. After VP I, a significantly decreased L A was found in DI, but not in DG. After VP II, all cardiac dimensions were significantly reduced compared with the baseline in DI, whereas in DG only a decrease in LVESV was found. SV was significantly increased in DI, but no t in DG after VP I. SV and LVEF were significantly improved in DI and in DG after VP II. Exercise capacity did not change significantly in DI and DG. Digitoxin in combination with trichlormethiazide/amiloride is effective in reducing primarly enlarged left atrial and left ventricular dimensions, and is sufficient to improve the impaired systolic left ventricular function i n CHF of NYHA class II and III in sinus rhythm. However, a significant incr ease in exercise capacity was not found. Treatment with digitoxin seems to be more relevant as a monotherapy with trichlormethiazide/amiloride.