Nursing Faculty Publications

Pharmacologic Manipulation of Preload, Afterload, and Contractility in the Young

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1992

Journal Title

Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

Volume

6

Issue

3

First Page

12

Last Page

29

Abstract

Cardiovascular nurses who work with the young are faced with the challenge of understanding the specifics of pharmacologic agents that enhance cardiac output. This article is a summary of the drugs commonly used to manipulate preload, afterload, and contractility in the young. Diuretics, vasodilators, and positive inotropes are discussed in the text. The specifics of pharmacokinetics, dosage, and special considerations are summarized in table form in the Appendix.

Keywords

Cardiovascular disease, drug therapy, afterload, young children

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