Inotropes

Abstract Inotropes are a heterogenous group of drugs that modify calcium handling and alter the force of myocardial contraction. Catecholamines, and their synthetic analogues, increase intracellular calcium by activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) or inositol triphosphate (IP3). Phosphodiesterase inhibitors block phosphodiesterase 3, which in turn reduces catabolism of cyclic nucleo…