Oral levodopa boosts the ailing heart Currently the only widely used oral positive

inotropes are the digitalis glycosides, but levodopa has been effective. Therefore, a man with heart failure secondary to congestive cardiomyopathy (NYHA class IV), who had been dependent on IV dobutamine and then IV dopamine to maintain haemodynamic stability, was commenced on oral levodopa (+ pyridoxine) with subsequent withdrawal of IV inotropes. The patient has been maintained in NYHA class I for over 2 years with furosemide [frusemide], a nitrate, captopril and' levodopa 1.25g 5 times daily with no tolerance or adverse effects. 'This case demonstrates the need tor an oral inotropic agent . .. ' Chamsl~Pasha H. Horsley M. Barnes PC Levodopa and congesllve cardiomyopathy British Journal of Hospital Medicine 41 489.

May 1989 "6'

0156-2703/89/0930-0013/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press INPHARIIA' 30 Sep 1989 13