Ouabain

a gift from paradise

Autori

• Hauke Fürstenwerth

Parametri

• Salute & Medicina

Maggiori informazioni sul libro

Ouabain, a natural substance from African plants, was used in Europe, particularly Germany, for heart failure treatment until the 1980s. Its history has polarized the medical community, with proponents hailing it as the "insulin of the heart" while critics dismissed it as mere placebo. This contentious debate involved general practitioners and university clinicians, characterized by emotional and polemical exchanges. Current research continues to spark fierce discussions about Ouabain, often driven by hubris and personal agendas. Some scientists argue that Ouabain functions as an endogenous hormone, playing a crucial role in hypertension, heart failure, and other common diseases. Hauke Fürstenwerth provides an objective analysis of Ouabain's rise and fall, revealing previously unreported facts about its complex history. He suggests that the narrative of Ouabain is far from over, as new research offers fresh perspectives on its therapeutic potential. The book outlines how Ouabain could be reapproved for patient benefit, linking its history to the evolution of pharmacy and medicine. Today, the statistical risk for diseases is recognized as an independent clinical indication, leading to treatment even for asymptomatic patients. This shift in understanding is an integral part of the ongoing story of Ouabain.

Lingua: Inglese

Pubblicato: 2018