Intermittent XXXX infusions in outpatients with chronic @entity712 .

@entity1 @entity712 @entity452
@entity1 with severe chronic @entity712 were treated with intermittent @entity452 infusions administered on an outpatient basis with a portable infusion device. Eleven @entity1 (eight @entity1 and three @entity1 ), ages 28-71 years, were given initial @entity452 infusions at a rate of 1-2 micrograms/kg/min, and the dose was gradually increased to a maximum dose of 15 micrograms/kg/min. @entity1 were considered @entity452 responders if their cardiac output increased by at least 30% and pulmonary-capillary wedge pressure did not rise. After a sustained hemodynamic response was demonstrated, the infusion was discontinued to assess the @entity1 ' symptoms during drug-free intervals. The @entity1 were instructed and trained in proper catheter care after a venous-access catheter was surgically implanted. @entity1 were also shown how to use the ambulatory infusion pump. The @entity1 were treated with long-term intermittent @entity452 infusions for 3-24 months. All @entity1 adjusted easily to the routine of catheter and pump care and drug administration. The mean dose of @entity452 resulting in the maximum improvement in cardiac index was 9.4 micrograms/kg/min. All @entity1 observed an improvement in their symptoms of @entity712 during the drug infusions and the intervals between the infusions. There was a mean reduction of 1.2 in New York Heart Association functional class. There were 18 @entity712 -related hospital readmissions among the 11 @entity1 during 108 cumulative months of long-term @entity452 therapy. The intermittent administration of @entity452 via a portable infusion system appears to have improved the functional capacity of the 11 @entity1 studied. This may be a viable treatment alternative for selected ambulatory @entity1 with severe @entity712 who demonstrate hemodynamic improvement with @entity452 .
