Which drug increases cardiac output and stimulates alpha and beta receptors?

Which drug increases cardiac output and stimulates alpha and beta receptors?

• A. Dopamine
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Norepinephrine
• D. Dobutamine

Answer: (A)

The drug that increases cardiac output while stimulating both alpha and beta receptors is epinephrine. It activates beta receptors (especially beta1) to raise heart rate and force of contraction, boosting cardiac output. It also activates alpha receptors to constrict some blood vessels, increasing systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. The combination of stronger cardiac pumping and maintained perfusion pressure makes epinephrine the most consistent agent for achieving both increased cardiac output and simultaneous alpha and beta receptor stimulation. Dopamine can raise cardiac output as well, but its effects depend on dose: it starts with dopaminergic effects, then beta1, and only at higher doses does alpha stimulation come in, so it’s less uniform in delivering both receptor activations at once.

The drug that increases cardiac output while stimulating both alpha and beta receptors is epinephrine. It activates beta receptors (especially beta1) to raise heart rate and force of contraction, boosting cardiac output. It also activates alpha receptors to constrict some blood vessels, increasing systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. The combination of stronger cardiac pumping and maintained perfusion pressure makes epinephrine the most consistent agent for achieving both increased cardiac output and simultaneous alpha and beta receptor stimulation. Dopamine can raise cardiac output as well, but its effects depend on dose: it starts with dopaminergic effects, then beta1, and only at higher doses does alpha stimulation come in, so it’s less uniform in delivering both receptor activations at once.