Inotropy
Inotropy (pronounced: /ɪˈnɒtrəpi/) is a term in Medicine and Cardiology that refers to the force of contraction of the heart muscle. It is derived from the Greek words "ino" meaning fibre and "tropos" meaning turning.
Definition
Inotropy is a measure of the force of contraction of the heart muscle. It is an important factor in the regulation of Cardiac Output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute. Inotropy can be either positive, meaning the force of contraction is increased, or negative, meaning the force of contraction is decreased.
Factors affecting Inotropy
Several factors can affect inotropy, including the level of Calcium in the blood, the sensitivity of the heart muscle to calcium, and the action of certain hormones and drugs.
Related Terms
- Chronotropy: The speed at which the heart beats
- Dromotropy: The speed at which electrical impulses travel through the heart
- Lusitropy: The rate of relaxation of the heart muscle
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Inotropy
- Wikipedia's article - Inotropy
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