amrinone
Noun: 1. A cardiotonic drug: Amrinone is a synthetic chemical compound used as a medication. It belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Its primary medical use is to increase the force of the heart's contractions, particularly in cases of acute heart failure.
Amrinone is a specialized term used almost exclusively in medical and pharmacological contexts. * It is administered by healthcare professionals, typically via intravenous injection in a hospital setting. * The term is used to discuss drug mechanisms, treatment protocols, and patient care in heart failure.
- The doctor ordered an amrinone infusion to support the patient's failing heart.
- Amrinone works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, leading to increased cardiac output.
- Studies compared the hemodynamic effects of amrinone with those of dobutamine.
- Pharmacological Class: Amrinone is a first-generation phosphodiesterase III (PDE III) inhibitor. This classification is crucial for understanding its mechanism of action and differentiating it from other heart medications like digoxin or beta-agonists.
- Clinical Context: Its use is generally reserved for short-term management of acute congestive heart failure, especially when patients do not respond adequately to other standard therapies like diuretics, digoxin, and vasodilators.
- Inamrinone: This is the current official non-proprietary (generic) name for the drug formerly and commonly called amrinone. The name was changed to avoid confusion with similar drug names.
- Inocor: This is a well-known trade name (brand name) for amrinone/inamrinone.
- Milrinone: A related, second-generation phosphodiesterase inhibitor with a similar therapeutic use but a different chemical structure and pharmacokinetic profile.
- Cardiotonic: A general term for any agent that has a strengthening effect on the heart's contraction.
- Inotropic agent: A more precise synonym, specifically referring to a drug that increases the force of myocardial contraction. (Amrinone is a positive inotropic agent).
The word "amrinone" has one primary, specific meaning in the English language: it is the name of a pharmaceutical drug. It does not have different general meanings, idioms, or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a technical term. Its definition is tied directly to its clinical function and chemical properties.
- a drug (trade name Inocor) used intravenously in heart failure; increases strength of contraction of myocardium