Efficacy of felodipine in congestive heart failure.

Abstract

The efficacy of felodipine, a vasodilating calcium antagonist, was analysed in 23 patients with congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association class III, during an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study. After felodipine, exercise duration increased significantly without changes in oxygen consumption. Heart rate, arterial pressures and rate pressure product decreased at similar submaximal exercise levels. Invasive haemodynamics before and after 8 weeks of therapy revealed arterial vasodilation without reflex tachycardia and no significant reduction in right atrial, pulmonary and capillary wedge pressures. Subjective symptom scores improved and side-effects were minor. Fluid retention, as assessed by body weight and ankle circumference did not occur. Felodipine has a beneficial effect in patients with moderately severe heart failure. Further research is necessary to demonstrate its long-term efficacy and safety.

• Authors: P H Dunselman, C E Kuntze, A van Bruggen, J P Hamer, A H Scaf, H Wessling, K I Lie
• Journal: European heart journal (Eur Heart J) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 354-64 (Apr 1989) ISSN: 0195-668X [Print] England
• PMID: 2656266 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nitrendipine
• Felodipine

Topics

• Aged
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Exercise Test
• Felodipine
• Female
• Heart Failure (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Hemodynamics
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nitrendipine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Time Factors