Chronotropic vs. Dromotropic

Chronotropicadjective

(physiology) Of, relating to, or affecting the rate of muscular contraction, especially of the heart.

Chronotropic

Chronotropic effects (from chrono-, meaning time, and tropos, ) are those that change the heart rate. Chronotropic drugs may change the heart rate and rhythm by affecting the electrical conduction system of the heart and the nerves that influence it, such as by changing the rhythm produced by the sinoatrial node.

Dromotropicadjective

(physiology) Affecting the conductivity of cardiac muscle, used of the influence of cardiac nerves.

Dromotropic

The term dromotropic derives from the Greek word δρόμος drómos, meaning , a course, a race. A dromotropic agent is one which affects the conduction speed (in fact the magnitude of delay) in the AV node, and subsequently the rate of electrical impulses in the heart.Positive dromotropy increases conduction velocity (e.g.