ICU questions - inotropes?

Question

In ICU when someone requires 'inotropes' do they generally mean positive inotropes?

Answer 1

Yes.

Negative inotropes ( as Beta Blockers) are rarely needed for that function.

Answer 2

Depends on what you mean by requires? If you mean an emergent situation, we are talking about positive inotropes...like epi.  There are plenty of pts on dig, dobutamine, dopamine, etc (all are positive). But, there are also a lot of pts on the ICU on beta blockers, which are negative inotropes...esp chronic CHF pts. who have other issues.

Hope this helps!