Cardiorenal effects of an orally active dopamine prodrug (TA-870) in patients with congestive heart failure.

The effects of TA-870, a newly synthesized orally active dopamine prodrug, on the cardiorenal functions were investigated in 12 patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure. A single oral dose of TA-870 (1,200 mg) improved left ventricular fractional shortening and mean circumferential velocity on M-mode echocardiography (p less than 0.01 for both). Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate improved with TA-870 (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively); urine volume and sodium excretion increased (p less than 0.01 for both). Blood pressure and heart rate did not change during the 4-h experimental period. Mean plasma free dopamine levels peaked 1 h after dosing. These data suggest that the cardiorenal effects of oral TA-870 are comparable with those of continuous intravenous injections of dopamine. Thus, TA-870 appears to be a useful alternative drug to intravenous dopamine.