Intravenous Amrinone: An Advance or a Wrong Step?

Excerpt

Amrinone is a nonglycosidic, non-catecholamine-dependent, inotropic vasodilator agent that has recently been made available for intravenous use in patients with severe heart failure. Because other agents, such as dopamine, dobutamine, and nitroprusside, are available and have actions similar to those of amrinone in patients with heart failure, the usefulness of this newer agent must be put in perspective.

Amrinone is advertised as a "major advance" in inotropic therapy because of its alleged advantages of more sustained action than dopamine or dobutamine and reduction of myocardial oxygen demand. The evidence for these claims and their importance appears minimal. Recent reports indicate