Here's a breakdown:
* Ino- comes from the Greek word "inos" meaning "muscle fiber".
* -troph indicates "nourishment" or "influence".
Therefore, an inotroph is something that "influences muscle fiber," specifically the heart muscle.
Types of Inotropes:
* Positive inotropes increase the force of contraction, making the heart beat stronger. Examples include:
* Digoxin: A cardiac glycoside that increases the strength of each heartbeat.
* Dopamine: A catecholamine that increases heart contractility and blood pressure.
* Negative inotropes decrease the force of contraction, making the heart beat weaker. Examples include:
* Beta blockers: Medications that block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on the heart, reducing heart rate and contractility.
* Calcium channel blockers: Medications that reduce the amount of calcium that enters heart muscle cells, thereby reducing contractility.
Inotropes are often used to treat heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. Positive inotropes can help the heart pump more strongly, while negative inotropes may be used to reduce the strain on the heart.