Classification of positive inotropic agents

Classification of positive inotropic agents.

Although there is increasing recognition that all inotropic agents are not alike, they continue to be viewed in the generic sense because of the lack of a classification system. Analogous to the classification system proposed for the antiarrhythmic agents over 20 years ago, a classification system is proposed that categorizes inotropic agents according to their mechanisms of action. Agents are ...

Clinical use of inotropic agents.

Hospital patterns of use of positive inotropic agents in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine hospital variation in the use of positive inotropic agents in patients with heart failure. BACKGROUND Clinical guidelines recommend targeted use of positive inotropic agents in highly selected patients, but data are limited and the recommendations are not specific. METHODS We analyzed data from 376 hospitals including 189,948 hospitalizations for he...

New positive inotropic agents in the treatment of left ventricular dysfunction.

Three major classes of inotropic agents have been clinically evaluated in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: a) agents that increase the intracellular concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate by stimulating the beta-adrenergic receptor or inhibiting phosphodiesterase; b) drugs that increase the intracellular sodium concentration; c) the new calcium-sensitizing drugs. This review...

Presence of negative inotropic agents in canine plasma during positive end-expiratory pressure.

Application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) will reduce cardiac output (CO). Humoral mediation of this event by circulating negative inotropic agents was examined using a rat papillary muscle bioassay. Twenty-seven dogs were anesthetized with an iv pentobarbital infusion. Plasma was obtained before and after 30 minutes of PEEP. The plasma was oxygenated in a small (4.5-ml) papillary ...