Inotropes

• Inotropes:

  • are a class of drugs that act on the ventricular myocardium in a similar way to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
  • Remember that physiologically the sympathetic nervous system including the sympathetic hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) produces an inotropic response in the ventricular myocytes ramping up CICR
  • The drug adrenaline may be used in critical emergency situations for example, a severe haemorrhage
  • They may also be used postcardiac surgery to give cardiac function a temporary boost
• Inotropes:

  • Other inotropes include dobutamine & digoxin (although the latter is little used today since it is highly toxic if not administered very carefully)
  • Generally, inotropes such as adrenaline have a role limited to the acute situation and are not routinely used in the long term management of chronic cardiac conditions