title: Inotropic therapy: an important role in the treatment of advanced symptomatic heart failure.
abstract: Inotropic therapy remains an option in the management of patients with advanced heart failure symptoms from systolic dysfunction who do not respond to conventional therapies. The decision to use this class is largely predicated on an accurate evaluation of the patient's fluid and perfusion status. Selection of the appropriate agent and dosing regimens requires an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure and concomitant therapy. Most important, the goals of care should be stated clearly, given inherent risks associated with this class of drug.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hauptman
mesh_terms: D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents