[Positive inotropic effects of doxaminol in congestive heart failure]. / Positiv-inotrope Akuteffekte von Doxaminol bei Herzinsuffizienz.

The hemodynamic effects of doxaminol, a new, orally applicable beta-agonist, chemically dissimilar to catecholamines, were studied in comparison to those of dobutamine by means of thermodilution. After single-dose application of doxaminol in cases of congestive heart failure, cardiac output and stroke volume increased, heart rate increased slightly, pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure remained constant, and peripheral vascular resistance decreased. No arrhythmias appeared, but one patient suffered an attack of angina.

[Pharmacokinetics and thyrotoxicity of the sodium nitroprusside metabolite thiocyanate (author's transl)]. / Pharmakokinetik und Thyreotoxizität des Nitroprussid-Natrium-Metaboliten Thiocyanat.

Thiocyanate (SCN) serum levels were measured in relation to renal function and SCN-induced changes in thyroid function in 17 patients treated with sodium nitroprusside. SCN serum levels rose linearly, dose-dependent, after the distribution phase. If there was creatinine retention the rise was much steeper. Delayed SCN elimination in renal failure, previously shown experimentally, was also demonstrated clinically. Suppression of thyroid function, to a not precisely predictable extent, is likely to occur at a SCN serum level from 18 mg/l upward.