🍽️ milrinone,(prescription)

Positive Inotropic Effect: Milrinone belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase III, which increases intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cardiac muscle cells. This leads to enhanced myocardial contractility (positive inotropic effect), which helps improve cardiac output and alleviate symptoms of heart failure.

Vasodilatory Effects: In addition to its positive inotropic effect, milrinone also has vasodilatory properties. It causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, leading to vasodilation in both arterial and venous blood vessels. This reduces systemic vascular resistance (afterload) and pulmonary vascular resistance, which helps decrease the workload on the heart and improve cardiac function.

Short-Term Management of Heart Failure: Milrinone is used for the short-term management of acute decompensated heart failure, particularly in patients who do not respond adequately to standard therapies such as diuretics and vasodilators. It may be administered intravenously in a hospital setting to improve hemodynamic parameters and relieve symptoms of heart failure, such as dyspnea and fatigue.

Bridge to Recovery or Advanced Therapies: Milrinone may be used as a bridge therapy for patients awaiting heart transplantation or placement of a ventricular assist device (VAD). It can help stabilize patients with severe heart failure while they await more definitive treatments. In some cases, milrinone may also be used as a palliative therapy for patients who are not candidates for advanced interventions.

Adverse Effects: While milrinone can be effective in improving cardiac function, it is associated with several potential adverse effects. Common side effects may include hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), ventricular arrhythmias, headache, nausea, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Patients receiving milrinone should be closely monitored for these adverse effects, especially hemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Drug Interactions: Milrinone may interact with other medications, particularly those that affect cardiac function or blood pressure. Concurrent use of milrinone with other positive inotropic agents or vasodilators may potentiate its effects and increase the risk of adverse reactions. Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate the patient's medication regimen and monitor for potential drug interactions.