On Dig

Q: Can digoxin be called an inotrope by definition? (select one)

A) Yes
B) No

Answer: A

There are four classes of inotrope and digitalis in one of them. 

•  Phosphodiesterase inhibitors - Milrinone & Enoximone 
•  Beta-agonists - High-dose dopamine & Dobutamine 
• Calcium-sensitizing agents - Levosimendan & oral Pimobendan 
• Digitalis - Digoxin

All of these drugs have the property of direct inotropic effects and cause an increase in cardiac output.


#cardiology
#pharmacology


Reference:

1. Gheorghiade M, van Veldhuisen DJ, Colucci WS. Contemporary use of digoxin in the management of cardiovascular disorders. Circulation 2006; 113:2556.

2. Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines. Circulation 2013; 128:1810.

3. Dec GW. Acute decompensated heart failure: the shrinking role of inotropic therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 46:65.