title: Effects of actodigin on the heart.
abstract: Actodigin is a new semisynthetic cardiac glycoside reported to have a rapid onset and brief duration of action in dogs. Five patients with congestive heart failure in normal sinus rhythm were given incremental doses of actodigin. Overall, there was no significant change in heart rate, aortic or pulmonary artery pressure, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index, and stroke volume. This lack of response to actodigin is consistent with previous reports of acute administration of other cardiac glycosides. Four patients with atrial fibrillation and a rapid ventricular rate were given similar doses of actodigin. The ventricular rate was readily controlled. After drug administration was stopped, the ventricular rate quickly returned toward predrug levels. Thus, the rapid onset and brief duration of action of actodigin may be useful in the initial management of atrial fibrillation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002298:Cardenolides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002298:Cardenolides; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; C006277:actodigin