What medication can help increase cardiac output in heart failure cases?

Hydralazine is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the blood vessels, leading to a reduction in systemic vascular resistance. This reduction in resistance can be particularly beneficial in patients with heart failure, as it allows the heart to pump more efficiently against lower pressure. By decreasing the workload on the heart and increasing the stroke volume, hydralazine can effectively increase cardiac output, which is critical in managing heart failure symptoms.

Nitroglycerin is primarily used for angina and works as a vasodilator as well, but its main effects center on reducing myocardial oxygen demand rather than directly increasing cardiac output in heart failure situations. Furosemide is a diuretic that helps alleviate fluid overload but does not actively improve cardiac output. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can help manage heart failure but is more focused on controlling heart rate and reducing myocardial oxygen demand rather than significantly increasing cardiac output.

Therefore, hydralazine is the most suitable choice for increasing cardiac output in the context of heart failure.