title: [Recovery of pump function in ischemic hypokinetic cardiopathy subjects treated with weekly intermittent infusion of dobutamine. A clinical case].
abstract: The case is reported of a 69-year-old man with refractory heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. All other available treatments having failed and 250 mg doses of furosemide having been administered without success, dobutamine infusion was tried, at first with 72 hours of continuous infusion of 5 mcg/kg/min, followed by intermittent infusion at the same dosage, first with 12-h intervals, subsequently at the rate of 2-3 infusions weekly, and finally, after about 50 days, with a single weekly infusion. Clinical and hemodynamic results were brilliant with the patient passing from grade IV NYHA to grade II and from ejection fraction 21% (Teichholz M-mode measurement) to 55%, 14 months after the start of dobutamine treatment. Discussing the possible mechanisms of this favourable result, the authors stress the possible improvement of the contractility of the "stunned" or "hibernating" myocardial segments. On the basis of their experience and of data in the literature the authors underline the validity of a therapeutic protocol of intermittent dobutamine infusion for severe heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Medicina Generale, U.S.L. N. 8, Ospedale di Montecchio E. RE.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chesi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navazio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galimberti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004280:Dobutamine
vernacular_title: Recupero della funzione di pompa in soggetto con cardiopatia ipocinetica ischemica trattata con dobutamina in infusione intermittente settimanale. Un caso clinico.