title: Pharmacologic therapy of low output syndromes after cardiac surgery.
abstract: With the advancement of surgical techniques and myocardial protection we can expect that patients previously felt to be inoperable because of poor ventricular function will be surgical candidates. This group of patients will on occasion develop severe left ventricular dysfunction in the peri-operative period. Optimum management in this setting will require acquisition of haemodynamic data, assessment of ventricular loading conditions and inotropic state and the selection of appropriate drug therapy. Drugs are available with specific haemodynamic profiles and therapy is enhanced by matching the abnormal haemodynamics of patients with an appropriate therapeutic agent. If the patient fails to respond quickly to pharmacotherapy, consideration should be directed toward use of an intra-aortic balloon pump.
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013815:Thermodilution; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents