Amrinone increases ventricular contractility and diastolic compliance in endotoxemia.

Abstract

Systolic and diastolic dysfunction occur during human septic shock, and sensitivity to beta-adrenergic agents is reduced. We sought to determine whether amrinone, an inotropic agent independent of beta-receptors, increases left-ventricular contractility or diastolic compliance after endotoxin infusion. We measured left-ventricular volume (using a conductance catheter) and pressure (using a Millar catheter) before and after administering amrinone (4.5 mg/kg i.v., then 10 micrograms/kg/min) to six endotoxemic and seven control pigs. The slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, Ees, was used as the primary measure of contractility. Diastolic stiffness was characterized using stiffness parameters taken from pressure-volume relationships (k) and from pressure-volume strain relationships. Amrinone increased Ees from a median of 10.4 mm Hg/ml (interquartile range, 7.2 to 12.3) to 16.4 (13.7 to 18.6) (p < 0.05) in the endotoxin group (p < 0.05). Amrinone decreased diastolic stiffness (k) in the endotoxin group by 35 +/- 18% (p < 0.05). Amrinone did not significantly change Ees or k in the control group. Mean arterial pressure decreased after endotoxin infusion from 117 +/- 23 mm Hg to 76.5 +/- 14.9 mm Hg (p < 0.05), and decreased further after amrinone to 62.0 +/- 14.8 mm Hg (p < 0.05). We conclude that in this model of sepsis, amrinone may beneficially increase systolic contractility and diastolic compliance, but may dangerously decrease an already low mean arterial pressure.

• Authors: H A Werner, M J Herbertson, K R Walley
• Journal: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine (Am J Respir Crit Care Med) Vol. 152 Issue 2 Pg. 496-503 (Aug 1995) ISSN: 1073-449X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7633698 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Endotoxins
• Amrinone
• Oxygen

Topics

• Amrinone (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Atrial Function, Right (drug effects)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Cardiac Output (drug effects)
• Cardiac Volume (drug effects)
• Coronary Circulation (drug effects)
• Diastole
• Elasticity
• Endotoxins (blood)
• Escherichia coli
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Myocardial Contraction (drug effects)
• Oxygen (blood)
• Shock, Septic (physiopathology)
• Stroke Volume (drug effects)
• Swine
• Systole
• Ventricular Function, Left (drug effects)
• Ventricular Pressure (drug effects)