Hemodynamic effects of aminophylline in cor pulmonale

Nine patients with cor pulmonale due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were studied by means of right and left heart catheterization. Hemodynamic and respiratory observations were made during a control period and during the infusion of 1 g of aminophylline.

Aminophylline produced a significant reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure from 39.4 to 25.4 mm Hg, in right ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 8.6 to 2.1 mm Hg, in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 7.9 to 3.0 mm Hg, and in brachial artery mean pressure from 95.3 to 85.6 mm Hg. The heart rate and oxygen consumption increased, but there was no change in cardiac index. The alveolar ventilation increased significantly from 2.1 to 2.9 L/min/m 2 (BTPS).

Evidence is presented to suggest that the decrease in pulmonary artery pressure was due to pulmonary arteriolar dilatation.