Amrinone

Amrinone (INN) or inamrinone, trade name Inocor, is a type 3 pyridine phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Class: Cardiac inotrope.
Actions: Increases cardiac contractility, vasodilator.
Indications: Short-term management of severe CHF.
Contraindications: Patients with history of hypersensitivity to the drug.
Precautions: May increase myocardial ischemia. Blood pressure, pulse, and EKG should be constantly monitored. Amrinone should only be diluted with normal saline or 1/2 normal saline; no dextrose solutions should be used. Furosemide should not be administered into an IV line delivering Amrinone.
Side Effects: Reduction in platelets, nausea and vomiting cardiac arrhythmias.
Dosage: 0.75 mg/kg bolus given slowly over 2-3 minute interval followed by maintenance infusion of 2-15 µg/kg/minute.
Routes: IV bolus and infusion as described earlier.
Pediatric Dosage: Safety in children has not been established