Effects of acute k-strophantidin administration on left ventricular relaxation and filling phase in coronary artery disease

In 10 patients with coronary artery disease, preserved left ventricular (LV) performance and absence of previous myocardial infarction, the effects of an acute intravenous administration of k-strophantidin (0.005 mg/kg over 10 minutes) on selected parameters of both LV systolic and diastolic function, including relaxation, were evaluated. An increase in positive first derivative of LV pressure (dP.dt) and in the ratio between dP/dt and the pressure developed (dP/dt/P) (1,530 [+ or -] 287) 1,600 [+ or -] 329 mm Hg/s [p However, LV relaxation was impaired by k-strophantidin injection; in fact, mean values of T constant were significantly increased from 50 [+ or -] 12 to 55 [+ or -] 13 ms (p Therefore, in patients with coronary artery disease and LV preserved performance, an acute intravenous administration of k-strophantidin appears to stimulate contractility and to worsen relaxation, and minimal LV and end-diastolic pressures.