Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Contractility Measurements on Isolated Papillary Muscles for the Investigation of Cardiac Inotropy in Mice
Published on: September 17, 2015
Low-level inotropic stimulation with type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors in patients with advanced symptomatic
1University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Abstract:
beta-blocking agents are now well established as a cornerstone therapy in mild to moderate heart failure. Patients with more advanced heart failure depend on adrenergic activation to maintain adequate myocardial function. This leads to significant difficulties in using beta-blockers in advanced or severe heart failure. In addition, recent data indicate that adrenergic withdrawal might be detrimental in some of these patients. In higher doses, positive inotropic agents have been shown to increase mortality when used alone in subsets with advanced heart failure. Preliminary data suggest that the combination of low-dose phosphodiesterase inhibitors and a beta-blocker may be better tolerated and does not appear to be associated with the adverse effects of either therapy used alone. We discuss the theoretic underpinning of this approach and the supportive clinical data.
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation