Recent in vitro findings of negative inotropy of pantoprazole did not translate into clinically relevant effects on left ventricular function in healthy volunteers

Purpose Reports on cardiac problems with oral proton pump inhibitors have caused extensive safety reviews by the US Food and Drug Administration. We provide additional data on acute cardiac effects of an intravenous application. Methods Echocardiography was performed in 18 healthy volunteers after administration of a common high-dose regimen of pantoprazole (80 mg i.v. bolus followed by 8 mg/h for 1 h) or placebo. Design The design included a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Results Ejection fraction (%, mean ± SE) in the treatment group (placebo group) was 60.7 ± 1.1 (61.2 ± 1.7) at baseline, and 62.6 ± 1.1 (62.1 ± 1.9), 64.7 ± 1.6 (63.5 ± 1.3), 62.6 ± 1.6 (61.0 ± 1.6) and 63.0 ± 1.4 (61.8 ± 1.5) at 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 min after bolus application, respectively (p = n.s.). Similarly, no significant changes were found for cardiac output, cardiac index, blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, gastric pH that was used as a treatment control was significantly increased 60 min after the application of pantoprazole as compared to baseline and to placebo. Conclusions Pantoprazole as injection is safe in healthy subjects with respect to cardiac contractile function. However, in view of recent reports of negative inotropy of the drug, further studies in heart failure patients are required.