Intravenous inotropic agents in the intensive therapy unit: do they reallymake a difference?

Part of the management of refractory heart failure is treatment aimed at pr eventing organ damage due to inadequate oxygen delivery, improving hemodyna mics, and maximizing cardiac output while maintaining only mildly elevated ventricular filling pressures The aim of this paper is to review the most u pdated indications on intravenous inotropic agents, and to compare their ca rdiac and peripheral effects. Finally, clinical implications of their use ( alone or in combination) are reviewed. (C) 2000 European Society of Cardiol ogy. All rights reserved.