Hemodynamic evaluation of ibopamine in patients with refractory congestive heart failure.

Ibopamine (SB-7505), the orally active 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyldopamine, was investigated at doses ranging from 1.09 to 2.34 mg/kg in 12 patients suffering from refractory congestive heart failure. In 7 patients ibopamine produced favorable effects, increasing cardiac index (+35%), stroke volume index (+27%), stroke work index (+30%) and decreasing systemic vascular resistances (-15%), total pulmonary resistances (-20%), pulmonary arteriolar resistances (-28%), whereas in 5 patients it was ineffective. Transient adverse reactions occurred in 3 patients.