Milrinone is a medication used to treat heart failure, particularly in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE-3) inhibitors. By inhibiting PDE-3, milrinone increases the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cardiac muscle cells. This, in turn, enhances calcium ion influx, leading to increased contractility (inotropy) and relaxation (lusitropy) of the heart muscle. Milrinone also causes vasodilation, which lowers peripheral vascular resistance and decreases the workload on the heart.
Milrinone is typically administered intravenously, usually in a hospital setting, because its effects are rapid and short-acting. It is used as a short-term therapy for patients who do not respond well to other medications or as a bridge to more definitive treatment options, such as heart transplantation or the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Some common side effects of milrinone include:
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- Headache
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Nausea
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
It is essential for patients receiving milrinone to be closely monitored by healthcare professionals to ensure that the medication is working effectively and to manage any side effects that may arise.