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Table 124-3

Drugs for Treatment of Acute Heart Failure

Initiating DoseMaximal Dose
Vasodilators
Nitroglycerin20 µg/min40-400 µg/min
Nitroprusside10 µg/minup to 5 µg/kg/min
NesiritideBolus 2 µg/kg0.01 µg/kg per mina
Inotropes
Dobutamine1-2 µg/kg per min2-20 µg/kg per min
MilrinoneBolus 50 µg/kg slowly over 10 min0.1-0.75 µg/kg per min
Dopamine1-2 µg/kg per min2-4 µg/kg per min
LevosimendanBolus 6-12 µg/kg over 10 min0.1-0.2 µg/kg per mina

aApproved outside of the United States for the management of acute heart failure.