The use of inotropic and afterload-reducing agents in neonates

Vasodilators have demonstrated efficacy in neonates with depressed myocardial function. The magnitude of benefit depends on the preexisting hemodynamic state and concurrent treatment modalities. In patients with increased filling pressures, vasodilators increase cardiac output with negligible effect on MAP, with volume resuscitation to restore pretreatment filling pressures offering additional benefit. The rationale for use in neonatal respiratory disease remains less clear, with no vasoactive drug showing selective pulmonary vasodilatation. Benefit no doubt accrues from the improved coronary perfusion that occurs with reduction in filling pressures. In addition, reduced interventricular diastolic dependence and thereby improved ventricular compliance, as well as the afterload-reducing effect of decreased chamber size, may significantly reduce the effect of the lung disease on myocardial functioning.