L-NMMA (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) is effective in the treatment of cardiogenic shock.
BACKGROUND
The objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of L-NMMA in the treatment of cardiogenic shock.


METHODS
We enrolled 11 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock that persisted after >24 hours from admission, despite coronary catheterization and primary percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization, when feasible, and treatment with mechanical ventilation, intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), and high doses of catecholamines. L-NMMA was administered as an IV bolus of 1 mg/kg and continuous drip of 1 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) for 5 hours. Treatment with catecholamines, mechanical ventilation, and IABP was kept constant throughout the study.


RESULTS
Within 10 minutes of L-NMMA administration, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) increased from 76+/-9 to 109+/-22 mm Hg (+43%). Urine output increased within 5 hours from 63+/-25 to 156+/-63 cc/h (+148%). Cardiac index decreased during the steep increase in MAP from 2. 0+/-0.5 to 1.7+/-0.4 L/(min. m(2)) (-15%); however, it gradually increased to 1.85+/-0.4 L/(min. m(2)) after 5 hours. The heart rate and the wedge pressure remained stable. Twenty-four hours after L-NMMA discontinuation, MAP (+36%) and urine output (+189%) remained increased; however, cardiac index returned to pretreatment level. No adverse events were detected. Ten out of eleven patients could be weaned off mechanical ventilation and IABP. Eight patients were discharged from the coronary intensive care unit, and seven (64%) were alive at 1-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
L-NMMA administration in patients with cardiogenic shock is safe and has favorable clinical and hemodynamic effects.
Cotter
G
G
Cardiology Institute, Clinical Pharmacology Research Unit, Zerifin, Israel.
Kaluski
E
E
Blatt
A
A
Milovanov
O
O
Moshkovitz
Y
Y
Zaidenstein
R
R
Salah
A
A
Alon
D
D
Michovitz
Y
Y
Metzger
M
M
Vered
Z
Z
Golik
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014556:Urine; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine