Increasing Ejection Fraction

Increasing Ejection Fraction


Recently, there was an article in vitasearch where 53 patients with heart problems took pycnogenol along with CoQ10 for 12 weeks and it resulted in a 22.4% increase in their ejection fractions, along with other benefits.


DRUGS THAT IMPROVE CARDIAC EJECTION FRACTION


The cardiac ejection fraction describes the percentage of blood present in the heart that is pumped out with each heart beat. A poor ejection fraction indicates that the heart is not pumping efficiently. This can be due to damage due to a heart attack or as a result of other heart conditions. Because the gradual failure of the heart can be life-threatening, there are many medications that can improve the cardiac ejection fraction.


Digitalis:

Digitalis is a medication which has been used for many years to improve cardiac ejection fraction. Digoxin, a drug which is derived from digitalis, is one of the more commonly prescribed forms of this medication. This medication, the Children's Heart Institute explains, works by inactivating a protein that pumps sodium out of heart cells. In response to these elevated sodium levels, the heart cells excrete this excess sodium and take in more calcium ions. Calcium is necessary for the heart muscle to contract; thus, increasing the amount of calcium in the heart muscle will cause the heart to contract with greater force, which increases the cardiac ejection fraction. This medication is useful for treating the symptoms of heart failure and can also lower the risk of hospitalization. The use of digitalis and its derivatives does not, however, improve survival, the Heart Rhythm Society explains.


Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors:

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are medications which can also be used to make the heart pump harder. These drugs, which include enoximone and milirinone, inhibit the action of a protein known as phosphodiesterase. As a 2007 article in Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain, titled "Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and the cardiovascular system" explains, phosphodiesterase is involved in the breakdown of a chemical known as cAMP. In the heart muscle cells, cAMP increases the flow of calcium into the contracting portion of the muscle. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are able to increase the amount of cAMP present in the heart, increasing calcium levels and making the heart beat harder.


Beta-Agonists:

Beta agonists are medications which mimic some of the effects of the hormone epinephrine, which is more commonly known as adrenaline. One of the effects of adrenaline is to make the heart beat harder. Beta agonists, such as dobutamine, are able to have the same effect on heart cells as adrenaline, RxList explains. These medications are usually given as an injection or an infusion, which makes it easier to modify the dose as necessary.


Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors:

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, also known as ACE inhibitors, are useful for the treatment of poor cardiac ejection fractions. These medications work by relaxing the blood vessels throughout the body, including the arteries which receive blood from the heart. By relaxing the arteries, the Cleveland Clinic explains, these drugs make it easier for the heart to pump, which increases the amount of blood ejected by the contraction of the heart muscle. Captopril, lisinopril and quniapril are all examples of this type of heart medication.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/204207-drugs-that-improve-cardiac-ejection-fraction/#ixzz2OzKnCWBI


Researched by:
@mannaglide
http://MannaGoods.blogspot.com


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