Hemodynamic effects of salbutamol, an oral long-acting beta-stimulant, in patients with congestive heart failure.

As the efficacy of oral long-acting sympathomimetic drugs is not yet well established, we investigated the hemodynamic effects of orally administered salbutamol in eight heart failure patients. Cardiac index, heart rate, blood pressure, and left ventricular filling pressure were monitored for 6 hours after a single oral administration of 4 to 8 mg salbutamol and placebo. In patients who had received salbutamol, a 40% increase in the cardiac index (+0.75 L/min/m2, p less than 0.01) was noted 1 hour post administration; a 44% increase (peak effect) occurred at 2 hours (+0.84 L/min/m2, p less than 0.05); and a significant increase persisted for 6 hours. Changes in heart rate showed a similar time course; however, the increase was less pronounced (+27% at 2 hours). The changes in blood pressure were slight and none of the eight patients developed ventricular arrhythmia or other complications. After placebo administration, no consistent changes in the hemodynamic parameters were noted. The present study suggests that, due to its sustained positive action on cardiac output, the oral administration of salbutamol may be efficacious in ambulatory patients with low cardiac output due to heart failure.