Experiences with the use of deproteinated pancreatic extract (Depropanex") in cardiovascular conditions

ABSTRACT

A total of 19 patients are here reported, suffering from various muscular conditions, mainly hypertensive and arteriosclerotic, with or without cardiac involvement as well as peripheral vascular manifestations, on whom Depropanex, a deproteinated pancreatic tissue extract, was found clinically effective in relieving some troublesome and even alarming manifestations of these ailments. The dizziness and heaviness of the head in arteriosclerosis and the evidences of cerebral as wll as coronary manifestations of hypertensive disease, especially if mainly angiospastic, all reacted favorably to this drug, disappearing promptly and rapidlyAlthough this series is as yet comparatively small, the constancy and uniformity of the clinical benefits observed strongly indicate the real therapeutic value of this tissue extract, an impression that is in complete conformity with that of foreign observers. Furthermore, these observations tend to indicate an actual spasmolytic action of Depropanex, inasmuch as in those with coronary pathology, not only was the pain abated but even the actual myocardial reserve was much improved, as proven by their increased capacity to work, enabling them to walk and climb stairs without any discomfortIt is to be mentioned, however, that this extract is not a curative measure in these conditions, inasmuch as the basic pathology, hypertensive vascular disease, and arteriosclerosis, are as yet without any definite curative treatment. The present extract is, nevertheless, a very effective remedy for some greatly discomforting manifestations of these diseases. (Summary and Comments)