CHF meds - preload or afterload?

[SaraO'Hara]

Of all the meds given to treat CHF and complications, which work on preload and which work on afterload? This is what I've come up with:

Diuretics - Preload. Decreased fluid volume = decreased cardiac workload.

ACE inhibitors - Both. Decreased vasoconstriction = decreased peripheral vascular resistance, but also decreased venous return.

Positive inotropic agents - Afterload. Increased force of contraction = decreased peripheral vascular resistance?

Sympathomimetic agents - Afterload. Same as above.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors - Both. Same as above, with vasodilation too. Vasodilation could decrease venous return (thus preload).

This was something that we "didn't have time" to go into in much depth in class. Any answers are appreciated :)

[burnoutward, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I am not sure if you are just accumulating a list of things or what but here is another group as well.

I found this and you might find it interesting.

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/cardiology/

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/online/journal/02_February-2019/0531545/

Good Luck ?

[SaraO'Hara]

Just trying to figure out which meds work on which part of the cardiac cycle, really. The link did help :)