What are vasopressors and inotropes?

Vasopressors and inotropes are medications used to create vasoconstriction or increase cardiac contractility, respectively, in patients with shock or any other reason for extremely low blood pressure. The hallmark of shock is decreased perfusion to vital organs, resulting in multiorgan dysfunction and eventually death.

Which are examples of inotropic and/or vasopressor medications?

Commonly used inotropes include catecholaminergic agents, such as dopamine, dobutamine, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., milrinone). Norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamines with inotropic properties, but are generally classified as vasopressors due to their potent vasoconstrictive effects.

Which drugs are vasopressors?

Vasopressors are a group of medicines that contract (tighten) blood vessels and raise blood pressure….Medicines — including synthetic hormones — that are used as vasopressors include:

  • Norepinephrine.
  • Epinephrine.
  • Vasopressin (Vasostrict)
  • Dopamine.
  • Phenylephrine.
  • Dobutamine.

What is the difference between vasopressors and vasodilators?

Vasodilators have effects opposite those of vasopressors. Venodilation results in decreased pre-load. Ventricular filling pressures including PWP may fall resulting in improvement of congestive heart failure. Arteriolar dilating effects cause decreased afterload.

What are inotropes used for?

Inotropes are a type of drug that can help you with a number of heart problems. They can help your heart muscles contract with more or less power, depending on what’s needed. Positive inotropes can help with cardiogenic shock and a slow heart rate.

What do inotropes do?

Inotropic agents, or inotropes, are medicines that change the force of your heart’s contractions. There are 2 kinds of inotropes: positive inotropes and negative inotropes. Positive inotropes strengthen the force of the heartbeat. Negative inotropes weaken the force of the heartbeat.

What are the names of inotropic drugs?

Inotropic Agents

  • amrinone.
  • digoxin.
  • dobutamine.
  • dopamine.
  • inamrinone.
  • Intropin.
  • Lanoxin.
  • milrinone.

What are inotropic drugs examples?

Inotropic drug list

  • Epinephrine (Adrenalin® or Auvi-Q®).
  • Norepinephrine (Levophed® or Levarterenol®).
  • Dopamine.
  • Dobutamine.
  • Levosimendan.
  • Milrinone.
  • Digoxin (Cardoxin® or Lanoxin®).
  • Amrinone.