The use of inotropic agents in acute and chronic congestive heart failure

Basic physiology and pharmacology of cardiovascular function

Cardiac function is based on the complex biochemistry of cardiac muscle contraction. Contributing factors are action potential, membrane receptors, ion channels and G proteins, the important effectors in the sarcoplasm, particularly calcium ion and protein kinase, and the interaction of the contractile proteins. These are various pharmacological approaches to cardiovascular function by modulating the myocardial biochemistry. These include beta agonists, beta antagonists, mixed adrenergic agonists, nonadrenergic inotropes (including PDE III inhibitors), and nonadrenergic vasodilators.