Milrinone, a new positive inotropic agent, was evaluated and compared to isoproterenol
in an immature isolated isovolumic rabbit heart model. Three age groups were
studied; newborns (0-6 days), juveniles (4-6 weeks old) and adults (5-7 months old). Heart
rate did not change significantly with milrinone or isoproterenol in adults or juveniles, but
increased in newborns from 144 ± 1 to 162 ± (SEM) 6 beats/min at peak milrinone effect.
Milrinone had a greater effect on the contractility (maximum positive dP/dt) of the mature
hearts, with newborns increasing to 134 ± 6% of baseline, juveniles to 154 ± 8%and adults
to 216 ± 15%. Results were similar for isoproterenol, although the positive inotropic effect
occurred over a wider dosage range for this drug. No additive effects of the two drugs were
noted. We conclude, that although milrinone is a positive inotropic drug in all age groups
studied, the response of the newborn heart is quantitatively much weaker than that of the
adult.