Der Einflu\ von ?-Sympathomimetika und sog. Ca++-antagonistischer Hemmstoffe auf den menschlichen Herzmuskel in vitro

Abstract

In an in vitro assay on fetal human heart muscle it was demonstrated for the first time that overstimulation by beta-sympathomimetics could cause elective parenchymal necrosis. Fenoterolhydrobromide, which is used for tocolysis on a longterm scale, induces in vitro necroses of individual heart muscle fibers according to a pathogenetic principle postulated by Flekkenstein. The combination of Fenoterolhydrobromide with a Ca++-antagonist prevents elective parenchymal necroses by reducing the Ca++-influx into the heart muscle fibers. These results suggest that elective necroses of heart muscle fibers may be not only of coronarogenic but also of metabolic origin.

Study to Confirm the Lack of Severe Cardiac Side-Effects following Treatment with the Beta-Adrenergic Drug Fenoterol

“…Histological examination has revealed damage to the myocardium in the form of elective, myocardium necrosis following administration of high doses of fenoterol to animals (8) and to human, fetal, myocardial cells in vitro (5,13). However, neither these findings, which were obtained in vitro, nor the clinical symptoms of an increase of pulse rate and enlarged blood pressure amplitude, are evidence of myocardial damage to the human heart in vivo.…”