Inotropic

Refers to the contractility of the heart (often produced from sympathetic nervous system stimulation; note that a stimuli that leads to increased contractility is called a positive inotrope, stimuli that reduces the force of contraction is called a negative inotrope.

The autonomic nervous system has dramatic effects on the cardiovascular system. When regards to the heart, sympathetic stimulation can yield a positive chronotropic (rate) effect, increasing heart rate. In contrast, the Vagus nerve produces a negative chronotropic effect slowing the heart rate. The Vagus nerve also slows the conductivity across the AV node. This is called a negative dromotropic (speed of conduction) effect. Sympathetic stimulation – particularly beta 1 stimulation – causes a positive inotropic (force of contraction) response, meaning that the force of contraction has increased. The medication Dopamine is known as a positive inotrope because it has the effect of increasing cardiac contractility.

1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 53, 198

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