flosequinan and ibopamine

Large drug trials have become very important to determine which drugs should be used in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). When these trials showed "positive" results, publication of the data soon followed, leading to a substantial impact on prescription patterns. In the case of "negative" results, many times they were not published, or were reported as an abstract or as short paper disclosing only the main findings. In this article we will discuss some of these trials that were conducted in the last 10 years, since we believe they may provide insight into the pathophysiology and treatment options in CHF.

Topics: Bosentan; Cardiovascular Agents; Deoxyepinephrine; Heart Failure; Humans; Imidazoles; Mibefradil; Pyrazines; Quinolines; Sulfonamides; Xamoterol

The crucial issues in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF) are improvement of depressed myocardial contractility and reduction of excessive load. For this purpose, positive inotropic agents and vasodilators have been developed as new oral drugs. The former include Denopamine which possesses beta 1 stimulating effect, Xamoterol which is a unique agent acting as a beta 1-partial agonist, and Ibopamine, Docarpamine and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors which possess both inotropic and vasodilating effects and are called "Inodilators". The latter include Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. In addition, new vasodilators, such as, Vasopressin Antagonist have also been developed. However, careful long-term clinical trials are required with regard to the efficacy and adverse effects before these agents are widely used with safety in the management of CHF.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Cardiotonic Agents; Deoxyepinephrine; Ethanolamines; Heart Failure; Humans; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Piperidines; Propanolamines; Pyrazines; Quinolines; Quinolones; Vasodilator Agents; Xamoterol