Biomaterial Database

The value of positive inotropy in acute and chronic heart failure. 1989

E Erdmann

Medizinische Klinik I der Universität München, Munich, F.R.G.

The different pathophysiological causes of acute and chronic heart failure prohibit a simple therapeutic approach with only one type of drug. Recent investigations have shown that the judicious use of positive inotropic agents, diuretics, and vasodilators in addition to dietary and exercise therapy can relieve the symptoms of heart failure and improve the quality of life as well as the prognosis. Apparently, the major breakthrough of modern treatment has not been the use of new or old positive inotropic drugs but rather the careful use of preload and afterload reducing agents. The proper place for beta-blocker therapy in chronic systolic or diastolic heart failure has not been established yet.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009200	Myocardial Contraction	Contractile activity of the MYOCARDIUM.	Heart Contractility,Inotropism, Cardiac,Cardiac Inotropism,Cardiac Inotropisms,Contractilities, Heart,Contractility, Heart,Contraction, Myocardial,Contractions, Myocardial,Heart Contractilities,Inotropisms, Cardiac,Myocardial Contractions
D002316	Cardiotonic Agents	Agents that have a strengthening effect on the heart or that can increase cardiac output. They may be CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES; SYMPATHOMIMETICS; or other drugs. They are used after MYOCARDIAL INFARCT; CARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES; in SHOCK; or in congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE).	Cardiac Stimulant,Cardiac Stimulants,Cardioprotective Agent,Cardioprotective Agents,Cardiotonic,Cardiotonic Agent,Cardiotonic Drug,Inotropic Agents, Positive Cardiac,Myocardial Stimulant,Myocardial Stimulants,Cardiotonic Drugs,Cardiotonics,Agent, Cardioprotective,Agent, Cardiotonic,Drug, Cardiotonic,Stimulant, Cardiac,Stimulant, Myocardial
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D006333	Heart Failure	A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.	Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208	Acute Disease	Disease having a short and relatively severe course.	Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute