The Role of Enoximone in the Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock

Low cardiac output in acute heart failure can result in a functional impairment of organs, when tissue hypoxia occurs and cardiogenic shock develops. To restore cardiac output, various forms of therapy can be considered. Fluid replacement is sometimes beneficial in acute situations where oedema can reduce effective plasma volume. Vasodilators are often contra-indicated in shock, when arterial pressure is usually low. Inotropic therapy consists primarily of the administration of adrenergic agents. Dopamine and noradrenaline can be indicated in severe hypotension, to maintain coronary perfusion. Dobutamine is the catecholamine of choice to increase myocardial contractility. However, decreased responsiveness of the myocardial receptors to adrenergic stimulation rapidly becomes an important limitation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors represent an interesting option to increase contractility, also by increasing cyclic AMP levels in the myocardium. In this respect, the combination of phosphodiesterase inhibitors with adrenergic agents is attractive. The additional vasodilatory properties of these agents can contribute to the increase in cardiac output with limited risk of further reduction