De Hert SG

Language: English
References: 0
Page: 248
PDF size: 72.57 Kb.

Text Extraction

Patients with poor left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery frequently require inotropic drug support immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Indeed, pre-existing impaired ventricular function is further compromised by variable degrees of myocardial stunning and/or myocardial injury resulting from ischemia during aortic cross-clamping. Currently available inotropic drugs enhance myocardial contractility by increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations which ultimately increases the myocardial concentrations of calcium. This effect is associated with an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption which may further alter the already compromised myocardial oxygen balance in patients with pre-existing ventricular dysfunction.