What is the primary action of inotropes in critical care?

Inotropes are medications that primarily increase the strength of myocardial contractility. This enhancement of contractility means that the heart can pump blood more effectively, which is crucial in critical care scenarios where patients may have compromised cardiac function due to conditions like heart failure or shock. By increasing the force of the heart's contractions, inotropes help improve cardiac output and ensure adequate tissue perfusion, which is vital for maintaining organ function and overall stability in critically ill patients.

While other actions may be important in critical care, such as managing blood pressure or heart rate, the key distinguishing feature of inotropes is their ability to directly enhance the pumping ability of the heart.