Nonobstructive Primary Myocardial Disease Hemodynamic Studies in Fourteen Cases

Abstract 1. 1. Fourteen patients with primary myocardial disease of the alcoholic type underwent hemodynamic studies at rest, during exercise and during isoproterenol infusion. 2. 2. No ventricular outflow gradient during isoproterenol infusion developed in any patient. In all patients studied, isoproterenol markedly improved cardiac function. 3. 3. In this group of patients with established nonobstructive cardiomyopathy who had previously demonstrated congestive heart failure, the cardiac index could be normal or depressed and the ventricular volumes and pressures normal or increased; however, in all patients a presystolic gallop, a reduced systolic ejection fraction and markedly altered exercise response were present.