Milrinone acute decompensated heart failure

FIGURE 8-2. General treatment algorithm for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) based on clinical presentation. IV vasodilators that may be used include nitroglycerin, nesiritide, or nitroprusside. Metolazone or spironolactone may be added if the patient fails to respond to loop diuretics and a second diuretic is required. IV inotropes that may be used include dobutamine or milrinone. (D/C, discontinue HF, heart failure SBP, systolic blood pressure.) (Reprinted and adapted from J Cardiac Fail, Vol 12, pages el-el 22, copyright 2006, with permission from Elsevier.)... 

Inamrinone, milrinone Phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitors decrease cAMP breakdown Vasodilators lower peripheral vascular resistance also increase cardiac contractility Acute decompensated heart failure IV only duration 3-6 h Toxicity Arrhythmias Interactions Additive with other arrhythmogenic agents... 

A much more serious complication of dobutamine therapy is ventricular dysrhythmias. Of 305 patients with acutely decompensated congestive heart failure, 58 were given dobutamine (although it is difficult to ascertain the dose), 44 were given other standard inotropic drugs such as milrinone, and 203 were treated with brain natriuretic peptide (nesiritide, 0.015 or 0.03 micrograms/kg/minute) (9). Of those given dobutamine 7% had sustained ventricular tachycardia, 17% had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 5% had a cardiac arrest. In contrast. 

Treatment strategies for progressive pulmonary venous hypertension should focus on treatment of the underlying disease. For patients with advanced decompensated systolic heart failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension, it is essential to reduce the pulmonary vascular resistance prior to heart transplantation to prevent acute RV failure of the donor heart. The use of continuous milrinone, occasionally nesirit-ide, and earlier intervention with mechanical circulatory device support (19) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation is considered a standard approach for this group of patients. Earlier intervention with valve repair or replacement for patients with mitral valve disease and aortic valve disease with associated pulmonary hypertension is recommended. 

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