Hemodynamic effect of foridon and nifedipine at rest and during exercise

: In an acute experiment, hemodynamic effects of ryodipine, 30 mg, were compared with those of nifedipine, 30 mg, in 22 patients with circulatory failure at rest (n = 22) and during bicycle ergometer exercise testing (n = 10). During exercise, the two drugs significantly increased the maximal cardiac index values. Ryodipine induced no increment in elevated pulmonary diastolic pressure, whereas nifedipine significantly diminished the increase. Total pulmonary resistance increased during the initial load exercise, remained unaltered with ryodipine, while nifedipine decreased this parameter in response to the load exercise. Thus, hemodynamic effects of ryodipine and nifedipine were similar at rest, the latter drug being more efficient during exercise. The effects of the drugs in question were similar to those of peripheral arteriolar vasodilators such as hydralazine.