Tailored therapy using dobutamine and nitroglycerin in advanced heart failure.

In 29 patients with advanced heart failure, therapy tailored to hemodynamic goals was attempted using an initial infusion of dobutamine and nitroglycerin (the latter in those with pulmonary hypertension) followed by escalating doses of oral vasodilators. In the 23 patients who were weaned from inodilator therapy, significant improvements in hemodynamic parameters and a low 90-day hospital readmission rate were documented.