title: The effect of intravenous potassium canrenoate in patients with severe heart failure and digitalis toxicity.
abstract: In 16 patients with critical condition due to severe heart failure associated with digitalis toxicity, the effects of potassium canrenoate (AldactoneR) administered intravenously were studied. Rhythm and conduction disturbances disappeared or improved in all instances. This effect was well correlated with an increase of serum potassium concentration. In 13 patients, after 1-2 days of Aldactone therapy, heart failure improved, which could be explained by a diuretic effect and by a possible inotropic action of aldactone. It is concluded that intravenous Aldactone is useful in patients with severe heart failure and digitalis toxicity in whom diuretics are often ineffective and even dangerous.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D002191:Canrenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011245:Pregnadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D011245:Pregnadienes; D002191:Canrenoic Acid