k-strophanthin-beta and Heart-Failure

K-strophanthin or digoxin were added to diuretics (all cases) and vasodilators (most cases) for treating advanced congestive heart failure in 22 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and sinus rhythm. K-strophanthin (0.125 mg intravenously) or digoxin (0.25 mg orally) were administered daily in two 3-month periods, during which vasodilators and diuretics were kept constant and patients received one of the two digitalis preparations in a double-blind fashion, crossing over to the alternative preparation in the next period. Blindness was assured throughout the trial with a daily intravenous injection of 10 ml normal saline solution either containing K-strophanthin or not, and with daily oral administration of either placebo or active digoxin. At the end of the run-in period, 15 days after starting active preparations, and thereafter every month for the next 6 months, we evaluated left ventricular pump function at rest and patients' functional performance by a cardiopulmonary exercise test. At Day 15, cardiac index and ejection fraction at rest, compared with run-in, were significantly raised with both glycosides; during exercise while on K-strophanthin, peak oxygen consumption was augmented by 1.4 ml/min/kg (p < 0.01) and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold by 2.2 ml/min/kg (p < 0.01); corresponding variations on digoxin (-0.1 and +0.3, respectively) were not significant versus run-in. These patterns were duplicated at repeated tests during follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anaerobic Threshold; Analysis of Variance; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Digoxin; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Exercise Test; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxygen Consumption; Stroke Volume; Strophanthins; Ventricular Function, Left

To evaluate the effects and safety of intermittent strophanthin K therapy (ISKT) for congestive heart failure combined coronary artery disease with sinus rhythm.. Two hundred patients divided into Group A (98 cases with maintenance digoxin therapy) and Group B (102 cases with ISKT). They were studied for 3 months and some of them for longer period.. Comparing the pretreatment data: 1. heart rate (HR, bpm), 2. left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 3. blood pressure (Bp, mmHg, calculated values as mean Bp for statistics). In group A, item 1. and 2. were significantly improved (item 1. 88 +/- 12 and 68 +/- 12, P < 0.01; item 2. 0.32 +/- 0.12 and 0.40 +/- 0.12, P < 0.01; item 3. showed no significant difference (126 +/- 21/90 +/- 6 and 128 +/- 21/80 +/- 5, P > 0.05). In group B, item 1., 2. and 3. were significantly improved (item 1. 90 +/- 10 and 70 +/- 11, item 2. 0.32 +/- 0.10 and 0.45 +/- 0.10, item 3. 128 +/- +/- 20/91 +/- 7 and 110 +/- 10/76 +/- 10, the p valves are the same < 0.01). As compared with the posttreatment data of both group A and B, HR, P > 0.05, there was no significant difference, LVEF, P < 0.05, there was significant difference, Bp, P < 0.01, there was significant difference. It showed no significant difference in total occurrence rate of digitalis overload or toxication between two groups also.. ISKT for congestive heart failure combined coronary artery disease with sinus rhythm is effective and safe, with better improvement of heart function and Bp level.

Topics: Adult; Cardiotonic Agents; Coronary Disease; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Strophanthins

Topics: Amiodarone; Animals; beta-Glucosidase; Cardiac Glycosides; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Heart Failure; Lysosomes; Male; Myocardium; Rats; Strophanthins

Topics: Animals; Cardiac Glycosides; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Heart Failure; Hemodynamics; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Rabbits; Stimulation, Chemical; Strophanthins

Topics: Acetylcarnitine; Animals; Carnitine; Dogs; Drug Synergism; Female; Heart Failure; Hemodynamics; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Rabbits; Stimulation, Chemical; Strophanthins

Topics: Acetylcarnitine; Animals; Carnitine; Drug Synergism; Guinea Pigs; Heart Failure; Hypoxia; In Vitro Techniques; Rabbits; Strophanthins

Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Biomedical Research; Drug Therapy; Heart Failure; Humans; Strophanthins; Tachycardia; Ventricular Fibrillation

Topics: Heart Failure; Strophanthins

Topics: Electrocardiography; Heart Failure; Humans; Strophanthins

Topics: Digitalis; Digitalis Glycosides; Heart Failure; Humans; Plant Extracts; Strophanthins