Masakatsu Fukushima

Clinical Efficacy of Flosequinan in Patients with Mild Chronic Heart Failure: a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Flosequinan is a novel vasodilating agent with a mild positive inotropic effect [1]. This drug has been reported to increase exercise capacity in patients with severe heart failure [2–4]. However, its efficacy has not been studied In patients with less severe forms of heart failure. In the present study we investigated the effects of 4-week administration of flosequinan (50 mg daily) on exercise capacity, cardiac function, and subjective symptoms in patients with chronic mild heart failure in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.

The issue of an intravenous MC-2DE methodology

It is necessary, at least briefly, to address in this chapter the difficult and controversial issue of a quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography technique, using intravenous echo contrast administration. Currently, such a methodology has not been demonstrated or proven to be practicable, but many of the ongoing developments make this important clinical advance at least possible.