Infusion therapy with milrinone in the home care setting for patients who have advanced heart failure.

Advanced heart failure (AHF) is a serious cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. The treatment of AHF exacts a great financial and manpower toll on the healthcare infrastructure. The quality of life of patients with AHF also is reduced severely. When it is infused at home, Milrinone, which is an intravenous inodilator agent, reduces the number of hospitalizations. Milrinone decreases the overall treatment costs of AHF. Highly skilled home nursing care is required in the treatment of patients. The home care nurse plays a major role in the outcome of a patient with AHF.