Past Papers · SAQ

Inotropes & Vasopressors — Ideal Inotrope

Current · V5 (2025) → D7.i Historical · V4 (2023) → G7.i 2 exam appearances

2017B Q15

Exam question

List the properties of an ideal inotrope (50% of marks). How does adrenaline compare with respect to these ideal properties? (50% of marks).

CICMWrecks answer

Master answer

An Ideal Inotrope is pharmaceutically suitable, has beneficial pharmacodynamic properties, has an excellent pharmacokientic profile.

PHARMACEUTIC

IDEAL INOTROPEADRENALINE
Non-toxicY
Cost eff­ectiveY
Stable preparationY
Compatible with other drugsY
Peripherally deliverableY
Multiple preparationsY
Stable in all solutionsN
(Oxidises to adenochrome in alkaline solutions, turns pink)

PHARMACODYNAMIC

IDEAL INOTROPEADRENALINE
Increases contractilityY
Increases mean arterial pressure, Maintenance of diastolic blood pressureY
Increases cardiac outputY
Improves regional perfusion, without pharmacodynamic costsN
No increase in myocardial oxygen consumptionN
(increases myocardial oxygen consumption)
Avoidance of tachycardia, Non-arrhythmogenicN
(causes tachyarrhythmias)
Suitable in pregnancy and paediatric populationsY
No Adverse effectsN
(hyperglycaemia, lactic acid production, worsens pulm HTN, Peripheral necrosis)

PHARMACOKINETIC

IDEAL INOTROPEADRENALINE
Does not develop toleranceN
TitratableY
Rapid onset, Rapid termination of actionY
Metabolised independent of liver and kidney functionN
(some hepatic metabolism)
Doesn’t require concentration monitoringY

JC 2019

Answer by JC

Past papers

Exam appearances

2 appearances
Exam Exact exam wording Candidate success
2017B Q15 List the properties of an ideal inotrope (50% of marks). How does adrenaline compare with respect to these ideal properties? (50% of marks). 98%
2012B Q18 List the properties of the ideal inotrope (50% of marks). How does adrenaline compare with respect to these ideal properties? (50% of marks). 86.4%