Hemodynamic effects of verapamil in pulmonary hypertension caused by heart valve disease

: The authors have investigated the haemodynamic effects of verapamil on the pulmonary circulation by 24 patients suffering from secondary pulmonary hypertension, caused by mitral and/or aortic valve diseases. For this purpose the numeric and graphometric analysis of intracavitary right ventricle pressure curve and pulmonary artery pressure tracing was applied. It was observed a selective antihypertensive effect on the lesser circulation. The pulmonary and systemic systolic tension decreased comparing in percentage 3:1, in case of diastolic tension this comparison was 2:1. The decrease in pulmonary circulation was strongly significant. The diminishing of heart rate and the improving of right heart function was not significant. The elevation of end-diastolic pressure of the right ventricle, just as the shape-analysis of pressure curves suggested right ventricle overload.