Short-term Intravenous Milrinone for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Heart Failure

Context Little randomized evidence is available to guide the in-hospital manage- ment of patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure. Although intra- venous inotropic therapy usually produces beneficial hemodynamic effects and is labeled for use in the care of such patients, the effect of such therapy on intermediate- term clinical outcomes is uncertain. Objective To prospectively test whether a strategy that includes short-term use of milrinone in addition to standard therapy can improve clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of chronic heart failure.