NCLEX Pharmacology Vasopressors and Inotropes Cheat Sheet
Vasoactive agents include the following:
inotropes are agents that increase myocardial contractility (inotropy)
— e.g. adrenaline, dobutamine, isoprenaline, ephedrine
vasopressors are agents that cause vasoconstriction leading to increased systemic and/or pulmonary vascular resistance (SVR, PVR)
— e.g. noradrenaline, vasopressin, metaraminol, vasopressin, methylene blue
inodilators are agents with inotropic effects that also cause vasodilation leading to decreased systemic and/or pulmonary vascular resistance (SVR, PVR)
— e.g. milrinone, levosimendan
some agents don’t fit these categories easily!
— e.g. dopamine
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