Milrinone is a medication used to treat heart failure and to improve cardiac output in certain types of shock. It works by increasing the strength of the heart’s contractions and relaxing the blood vessels. This allows the heart to pump more blood with each beat, and increases the amount of blood that reaches the body’s organs. Milrinone is usually given through an intravenous (IV) line, either as an infusion over an extended period of time or as a bolus injection. It may also be given as an oral tablet. Milrinone is typically used in people with severe heart failure, who have not responded to other treatments.
Milrinone, sold under the brand name Primacor, is a medication used for the short-term treatment of heart failure. It works by making the heart beat stronger and by relaxing certain blood vessels so that more blood can be pumped throughout the body. Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor.
Here's a summary of how Milrinone works:
- Increases heart contractility: Milrinone inhibits the breakdown of an important molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in heart muscle cells. cAMP helps the heart muscle contract with more force.
- Relaxes blood vessels: Milrinone also relaxes blood vessels, especially those in the lungs. This reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow.