Final answer:
Isoproterenol is mainly used for treating cardiac arrhythmias, working as a bronchodilator for asthma, and managing angina. Its action is through activation of cardiac and smooth muscle receptors, leading to increased heart rate and bronchodilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main use of isoproterenol is in the medical field. Specifically, it is a medication that is typically used to treat certain heart conditions. Its primary uses include being a bronchodilator for asthma, managing cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), and treating chest pain (angina).
Isoproterenol works by activating beta-1 and beta-2 receptors in the heart and the smooth muscle of the bronchi, leading to increased heart rate, myocardial contractility, and bronchodilation. It is not primarily used to lower blood pressure; however, a decrease in blood pressure can be a secondary effect due to vasodilation in the peripheral vasculature.
When considering clinical effects as the question suggests, isoproterenol's actions include improving heart rate and myocardial contractility, which can be beneficial in treating bradycardia (slow heart rate) and heart block. It is not typically used for its half-life, infusion dosing, or dilution in this context.