[The effectiveness of trapidil and some derivatives on heart function under in vitro and in vivo conditions]

Cardiac and coronary effects of trapidil (Rocornal) and some derivatives were investigated in isolated heart preparations and rabbit hearts in vivo. All substances showed a comparable increase of the coronary flow. Contrary to the cardiotonic influence of trapidil the trapidil derivates induced a negative inotropic effect, possibly due to a weak calcium antagonism. Heart rate was slightly diminished, but in some cases higher doses caused an acute tachycardia. I.v. application of the substances to rabbits in doses of 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg induced an initial depression of blood pressure normalizing within 3-5 min. An increase of the myocardial prostacyclin biosynthesis is only demonstrable under trapidil. The results indicate that the cardiac effects of trapidil derivatives are possibly caused by a direct influence on the contractile system and the membrane potential of the cardiac muscle cell.