inotropic

adjective

ino·​tro·​pic ˌē-nə-ˈtrō-pik 

ˌī-nə-,

-ˈträ- 

: increasing or decreasing the force of muscular contractions

… the long-term effect of this type of positive inotropic agent on the survival of patients with chronic heart failure has not been determined.

—Milton Packer et al.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary ino- (from Greek in-, is sinew) + -tropic

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

inotropic

adjective

ino·​tro·​pic ˌē-nə-ˈtrō-pik  ˌī-nə- 

-ˈträp-ik

: influencing muscular contractility : increasing or decreasing the force of muscular contractions

digitalis is a positive inotropic agent