Milrinone is used in cardiogenic shock primarily as what?

Milrinone is used in cardiogenic shock primarily as what?

• A. It is a pure vasoconstrictor
• B. It increases contractility and causes vasodilation
• C. It is an antiplatelet
• D. It is a beta-blocker

Answer: (B)

Milrinone works as an inodilator by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-3, which raises cAMP in both heart and vessel walls. In cardiac muscle, higher cAMP boosts calcium availability, increasing the strength of contraction (positive inotropy). In vascular smooth muscle, higher cAMP causes relaxation, leading to vasodilation and lower afterload. In cardiogenic shock, this combination improves cardiac output by both pumping harder and easing the ventricle’s workload. It is not a pure vasoconstrictor, not an antiplatelet, and not a beta-blocker.

Milrinone works as an inodilator by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-3, which raises cAMP in both heart and vessel walls. In cardiac muscle, higher cAMP boosts calcium availability, increasing the strength of contraction (positive inotropy). In vascular smooth muscle, higher cAMP causes relaxation, leading to vasodilation and lower afterload. In cardiogenic shock, this combination improves cardiac output by both pumping harder and easing the ventricle’s workload. It is not a pure vasoconstrictor, not an antiplatelet, and not a beta-blocker.