[Changes in the cardio-thoracic index during the treatment with ibopamine].

In order to confirm the efficacy of ibopamine for the management of congestive heart failure, as shown by the disappearance of clinical symptoms, the authors have assessed the cardiothoracic index before and after drug administration. In the 17 female patients examined the index was markedly improved, i.e. from an average of 0.561 +/- 0.058 to an average of 0.538 +/- 0.052, (p less than 0.01). This finding, together with the disappearance of dyspnea and edema, confirms that there was a change in disease pattern and that treatment with this drug was effective.