Ionotropes are a class of medications that influence the strength of heart contractions. They work by affecting the flow of ions, such as calcium, into heart muscle cells, which enhances the heart's ability to pump blood. This can be particularly useful in treating conditions like heart failure, where the heart's pumping efficiency is compromised. These drugs can be categorized into positive ionotropes, which increase contractility, and negative ionotropes, which decrease it. Common examples of positive ionotropes include digoxin and dobutamine. By improving heart function, ionotropes can help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with cardiac issues.