Dorsal hand vein responses to the α₁-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine do not predict responses to the α₂-adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine.

Significant inter-individual variability exists in responses of human dorsal hand veins to activation of α-adrenoceptors. Simultaneous graded infusions of the α₁- and α₂-adrenoceptor agonists phenylephrine (3.66-8000 ng/min) and dexmedetomidine (0.

Pharmacodynamic interactions of levosimendan and felodipine in patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective: The aim was to study the pharmacodynamic interactions and safety of the co-administration of the calcium sensitizer levosimendan and the calcium antagonist felodipine in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and with normal ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: The study was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 24 male patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class II CHD, consisting of four treatment periods, each period lasting for 7-10 days. In the first period the patients received either oral levosimendan (LS) (0.

The effect of flaxseed supplementation in processed foods on serum fatty acids and enterolactone.

Objective: The purpose was to study the effects of flaxseed supplementation as a part of daily diet on serum lipids, fatty acids and plasma enterolactone.

Design: Eighty volunteers participated in this clinical nutrition study which was carried out in a controlled, double-blind and cross-over manner. The subjects were randomized to diet sequences AB or BA.

Myocardial efficiency during levosimendan infusion in congestive heart failure.

Aims: Levosimendan, a novel calcium-dependent calcium sensitizer of the myocardial contractile proteins, also enhances diastolic relaxation and induces peripheral vasodilation by opening potassium channels. To assess the combined energetical effects of levosimendan infusion in vivo, we performed positron emission tomography in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure.

Methods And Results: Eight hospitalized patients with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure received levosimendan or placebo intravenously in a randomized double-blind cross-over study.

Hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of continuous infusion of levosimendan in patients with congestive heart failure.

Objectives: We sought to define the therapeutic dose range of levosimendan in patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV heart failure of ischemic origin.

Background: Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer for treatment of acute decompensated heart failure.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study included 151 adult patients.