HEMODYNAMIC AND AUTONOMIC EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS SATERINONE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART-FAILURE

In this study, the hemodynamic and neurohumoral/autonomic effects of i ntravenous saterinone (a selective phosphodiesterase type III inhibito r, with additional alpha(1)-blocking properties) were evaluated. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 36 patients with moderate to severe heart failure were studied (saterinone, n = 24; placebo, n = 12 ). Invasive hemodynamic measurements, by using right-heart catheteriza tion, were performed, as well as measurement of plasma neurohormones a nd analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), to study drug influences on neurohumoral activation and autonomic tone. Systemic vascular resis tance significantly decreased during saterinone infusion, accompanied by a decrease in systemic blood pressure (both p values < 0.05) and an increase in heart rate (p = 0.05). Filling pressures also decreased d uring saterinone, but this was statistically significant only for pulm onary capillary wedge pressure, whereas the cardiac index remained una ffected. Plasma neurohormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and renin activity) were not significantly influenced by saterinone. HRV analysi s revealed no significant effect of saterinone on autonomic tone. Thes e results suggest that intravenous saterinone has a significant vasodi lating effect in patients with moderate to severe chronic heart failur e (CHF), without exerting an adverse effect on the autonomic nervous s ystem, as demonstrated by assessment of plasma neurohormones and HRV a nalysis.