Oral theophylline in chronic heart failure

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Abstract
Theophylline choline 600 mg was given as a single oral dose to nine patients in chronic left ventricular failure due to myocardial dysfunction. Cardiac output, left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) were measured with a pulmonary artery thermodilution catheter for the following 3 hr. Continuous recordings of cardiac rhythm were made throughout the study. Mean cardiac index increased from 1·75 (±0·14 s.e. mean) to 2·04 (±0·11) 1/min/m2 (PPPP<0·05). There were no significant changes in heart rate or systemic vascular resistance; thus the increase in cardiac output was probably due to a positive inotropic effect. Side effects were seen in two patients, both of whom proved to have toxic plasma theophylline concentrations. This study demonstrated a beneficial acute haemodynamic effect of oral theophylline in chronic cardiac failure.