Enoximone pharmacokinetics in infants

PDE3 inhibition with enoximone as first-line therapy for severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn during neonatal transport: a case report

Severe Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) can be effectively treated with a PDE3 inhibitor as first‐line treatment during neonatal transport when iNO is not readily available. Starting iNO as soon as possible is strongly advised because of the complementary actions of both therapeutics.

A comparison of three phosphodiesterase type III inhibitors on mechanical and metabolic function in guinea pig isolated hearts

Little is known about of the comparative cardiac lusitropic and coronary vasoactive effects of type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors independent of their systemic circulatory effects. We hypothesized that phosphodiesterase inhibitors have dissimilar concentration-dependent effects on cardiac function and metabolism and that their coronary vasodilatory effects are solely dependent on flow autoregulation secondary to positive inotropic effects. Our aim was to compare the dose-response electrophysiologic, mechanical, vasodilatory, and metabolic properties of three clinically available phosphodiesterase inhibitors in isolated Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts. We found that, over a range from 10(-7) to 10(-4) M, amrinone, enoximone, and milrinone each produced maximal concentration-dependent positive chronotropic (12%, 18%, 26%), inotropic (16%, 26%, 26%), and lusitropic (14%, 21%, 19%) effects. At clinical concentrations, all phosphodiesterase inhibitors increased heart rate, but only milrinone significantly enhanced contractility and relaxation (11%). Each phosphodiesterase inhibitor similarly increased contractility at its highest concentration; this was accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption, which was matched by comparable increases in coronary flow and oxygen delivery. Coronary flow reserve was preserved at the highest concentration of each drug, indicating that an increased metabolic rate was responsible for the increase in coronary flow by each drug at each concentration. Over the concentrations examined, we conclude that each of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors does not directly promote coronary vasodilation and that milrinone has the most prominent effects on contractility and relaxation at clinically relevant concentrations.

Cardiac rescue with enoximone in volume and catecholamine refractory septic shock

In December 2000 and February 2001, two children with suspected meningococcal disease were admitted to our pediatric intensive unit. Their Glasgow Meningococcal Septicaemia Prognostic score was 12 points. General treatment including antibiotics, steroids in case of meningitis, and fluid replacement, was performed. Despite appropriate volume replacement, intubation and ventilation, noradrenaline and adrenaline continuous infusions < or =1.0 microg/kg/min, and additional bolus infusions, cardiac output deteriorated within minutes in both children. Calcium and bicarbonate were given without sustained effect. Echocardiography demonstrated no pericardial effusion and shortening fraction was <10%. External cardiac massage had to be performed immediately in one case for electromechanical uncoupling. Both patients received a bolus of enoximone 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg body weight, respectively, followed by a continuous infusion of 20-23 microg/kg/min. Thereafter, both children had an adequate blood pressure and their shortening fraction increased to >30%. Within minutes, the catecholamine infusion could be reduced in both patients. The children completely recovered from their life-threatening situations. In patients with severe prolonged catecholamine and volume refractory endotoxin shock in Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, even with electromechanical uncoupling and complete myocardial arrest, enoximone can immediately restore myocardial contractility.