title: Pharmacologic management of the postoperative cardiac surgery patient.
abstract: Maintaining adequate cardiac output in postoperative cardiac surgery patients is a complex and challenging feat for health care teams. Alterations in preload, afterload, contractility, heart rate, and rhythm can be devastating to these patients and lead to lethal consequences. An array of pharmacologic therapies is available in the critical care setting to help prevent and treat such complications and ensure satisfactory cardiac performance.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Critical Care Services, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street, NW, 4B-42, Washington, DC 20010, USA. ekatz02@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents