A Randomized Comparison of Intravenous Amrinone Versus Dobutamine in Older Patients with Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Both amrinone and dobutamine are efficacious in improving hemodynamics in older patients with severe congestive heart failure caused by left ventricular contractile dysfunction. Despite the effect of aging on beta-adrenergic responsiveness, dobutamine is at least as effective as amrinone but may be associated with a higher incidence of arrhythmic side effects.