title: Pirbuterol: a new oral sympathomimetic amine for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
abstract: Fourteen patients with refractory congestive heart failure (CHF) were given a single oral dose ranging from 5 to 30 mg of the new sympathomimetic drug pirbuterol. Hemodynamic measurements and plasma pirbuterol levels were obtained at control and then serially for 6 hours following drug administration. The optimal pirbuterol dose range was determined to be 20 to 30 mg. Ten patients received 20 to 30 mg pirbuterol. In this group cardiac index was significantly increased (1.9 to 2.6 L/min/m2, p less than 0.001). Pulmonary artery wedge pressures fell significantly (24 to 20 mm Hg, p less than 0.02). Decreases were also noted in mean pulmonary artery pressure (36 to 31 mm Hg, p less than 0.02), aortic diastolic pressure (71 to 65 mm Hg, p less than 0.05), systemic vascular resistance (1782 to 1201 dynes. sec. cm-5, p less than 0.001), and pulmonary vascular resistance (265 to 175 dynes.sec.cm-5, less than 0.001). Systolic and mean aortic pressure and heart rate showed no significant change from control. Hemodynamic effects persisted for 5 hours. Pirbuterol was clinically well tolerated. The mechanism of action is unclear at this time, but both inotropic and vasodilator effects are possible. Pirbuterol orally has a marked and prolonged salutary hemodynamic effect and offers promise in CHF treatment.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C009118:pirbuterol