Milrinone is a non-catecholamine.

Milrinone is a non-catecholamine.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Milrinone is a non-catecholamine inotrope. It works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-3, which prevents the breakdown of cyclic AMP inside cardiac myocytes and in vascular smooth muscle. The rise in cAMP in the heart enhances calcium availability, boosting contractility (positive inotropy). In smooth muscle, higher cAMP causes relaxation, leading to vasodilation and reduced afterload. Because it does not stimulate adrenergic receptors like catecholamines do, milrinone is classified as non-catecholamine. This combination of inotropy with vasodilation makes it an inodilator, useful in acute heart failure or cardiogenic shock, especially when you want to improve output without increasing vascular tone.

Milrinone is a non-catecholamine inotrope. It works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-3, which prevents the breakdown of cyclic AMP inside cardiac myocytes and in vascular smooth muscle. The rise in cAMP in the heart enhances calcium availability, boosting contractility (positive inotropy). In smooth muscle, higher cAMP causes relaxation, leading to vasodilation and reduced afterload. Because it does not stimulate adrenergic receptors like catecholamines do, milrinone is classified as non-catecholamine. This combination of inotropy with vasodilation makes it an inodilator, useful in acute heart failure or cardiogenic shock, especially when you want to improve output without increasing vascular tone.