Cardiotonic

Cardiotonic

Cardiotonic (pronunciation: /ˌkɑːrdiːəʊˈtɒnɪk/) refers to a class of medications or substances that have a positive inotropic effect on the heart. These substances increase the contractility of the heart muscle, thereby enhancing cardiac output.

Etymology

The term "cardiotonic" is derived from the Greek words "kardia," meaning heart, and "tonikos," meaning capable of stretching. In the medical context, it refers to substances that enhance the heart's ability to contract and pump blood.

Types of Cardiotonics

There are several types of cardiotonics, including:

• Digitalis: Derived from the foxglove plant, digitalis is a powerful cardiotonic that increases the force of heart contractions and slows the heart rate.

• Dobutamine: This synthetic cardiotonic is often used in acute situations to improve heart function.

• Milrinone: A phosphodiesterase inhibitor, milrinone is used to treat heart failure by increasing the force of heart contractions and widening blood vessels.

Related Terms

• Inotropic: Refers to the force of heart muscle contraction. Positive inotropic agents, like cardiotonics, increase this force.

• Chronotropic: Refers to the rate of contraction of the heart. Negative chronotropic agents slow the heart rate, while positive ones increase it.

• Dromotropic: Refers to the speed at which electrical impulses travel through the heart. Positive dromotropic agents speed up this conduction, while negative ones slow it down.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Heart Failure

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.