title: A preliminary study on the therapeutic effects of a calcium antagonist (diltiazem) on primary congestive cardiomyopathy. A clinical survey of 15 cases.
abstract: The clinical effects of diltiazem in 15 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy were observed. Symptoms were controlled in 66% and cardiac enlargement improved in 73.3%. There was a decrease in cardiac silhouette on X-ray in 18.82 +/- 3.2% (p less than 0.01), with an increase of EF(%), CO, CI and a decrease of TPR on two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiogram (p less than 0.01). Prior to treatment, the cardiac status of 8 cases was grade III and 7 cases grade IV; after treatment 1 case was grade I, 8 grade II, 5 grade III and 1 grade IV. This improvement might be due to the blockade of calcium channels and the fact that diltiazem has the least negative inotropic effect among the calcium antagonists. The dosage, route of administration, and prevention of side effects are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing.
authors.forename: D X
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Z C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D004110:Diltiazem