Cardiac Stimulants: Agents that have a strengthening effect on the heart or that can increase cardiac output. They may be CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES, SYMPATHOMIMETICS, or other drugs. They are used after MYOCARDIAL INFARCT, CARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES, in SHOCK, or in congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE, CONGESTIVE).

Synonym: positive cardiac inotropic agents, cardiotonics, cardiotonic drugs, cardiotonic agents, cardioprotective agents, myocardial stimulants.

Terms Related to Cardiac Stimulants

• Cardiac Glycosides

  Substances obtained from species of Digitalis, Strophanthus, and other plants that contain specific steroid glycosides or their semisynthetic derivatives and used in congestive heart failure. ...

• Congestive Cardiomyopathy

  A syndrome characterized by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure. It probably represents the end result of many forms of myocardial damage produced by a ...

• Low Cardiac Output

  A state of subnormal or depressed cardiac output, usually seen in patients with heart failure secondary to coronary artery, hypertensive, primary myocardial, valvular, or pericardial ...

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy

  A syndrome characterized by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure. It probably represents the end result of many forms of myocardial damage produced by a ...

• Cardiotonic Steroids

  Substances obtained from species of Digitalis, Strophanthus, and other plants that contain specific steroid glycosides or their semisynthetic derivatives and used in congestive heart failure. ...

• Cardiac Edema

  A manifestation of congestive heart failure caused by increased venous and capillary pressures and often associated with the retention of sodium by the kidneys. (Dorland, ...

• Metildigoxin

  A semisynthetic digitalis glycoside with the general properties of DIGOXIN but more rapid onset of action. Its cardiotonic action is prolonged by its demethylation to ...

• High Cardiac Output

  A state of elevated cardiac output. Conditions that lower peripheral vascular resistance, such as anemia, arteriovenous fistulas, thyrotoxicosis, and pregnancy, are among the most important ...

• Cardiac Asthma

  A disorder characterized by episodes of respiratory distress, usually occurring after several hours of sleep in a reclining position. It is most commonly caused by ...

• Cardiogenic Shock

  Shock resulting from diminution of cardiac output in heart disease.