Tag: Venous return

Diuretics, often called "water pills," are a cornerstone in managing conditions like heart failure, with loop diuretics being administered in about 90% of patients hospitalized for this condition [1.4.4]. But why do diuretics decrease preload? The answer lies in their fundamental effect on the body's fluid and salt balance.

Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) is a non-invasive ventilation technique that fundamentally alters cardiovascular dynamics, and one of its most significant physiological effects is its ability to decrease cardiac preload. This preload reduction is a key pharmacological mechanism that helps manage conditions like acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Phenylephrine primarily functions as a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist, a mechanism that leads to the constriction of both arteries and veins [1.2.4, 1.2.7]. This article explores the detailed pharmacology of how does phenylephrine affect the veins and its broader cardiovascular implications.