11. Anti-arrhythmic Medications Flashcards
1
Q
- What is the definition of automaticity? How do the cells do this? What is this required for?
- NO ______ _______ needed.
- Describe the automaticity with 2 words.
A
- Ability of certain myocardial cells to initiate action potentials –> intercalated discs to allow cell to cell communication required for coordinated muscle contraction
- external stimulus
- spontaneous and regular
2
Q
- What is an ectopic focus?
- What can this do to the heart?
- What are 4 possible triggers of an ectopic focus?
- Cardiac muscle is highly ________, functioning to regulate _____ _______. What are 3 ways the heart does this?
- From the previous question, what does this help to control? (2)
- Extrinsic factors can affect ______ _______.
A
- Area of electrical activity outside of normal location
- Can override the heart’s natural pacemaker (SA node)
- Nicotine, Caffeine, Digitalis, and Ischemia
- specialized functioning to regulate electrical impulses –> imitates, coordinates, and distributes
- BP and C.O.
- Intrinsic activity
3
Q
- What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
- What does the PR interval represent?
- What does the QRS represent?
- What does the ST segment represent?
- What does the T wave represent?
- What does the QT interval represent?
A
- depolarization of the atria
- delay between atrial ventricular stimulation
- depolarization of the ventricles (main pumping action of the heart)
- start of ventricular repolarization
- repolarization of the ventricles
- the time it takes for the ventricles to depolarize and repolarize
4
Q
- What is a supraventricular arrhythmia?
2. What are the 5 possible abnormalities that can be seen on an ECG in this category of arrhythmias?
A
- Electrical abnormalities that originate in the SA node, AV node or atrial muscle (originates above the ventricles)
- Atrial flutter, Atrial fibrillation, Supraventricular tachycardia, Premature atrial contractions, and Atrial tachycardia
5
Q
- What is a ventricular arrhythmia?
- Where specifically in the heart can the electrical abnormalities lie? (4 possible locations)
- What are the 4 possible abnormalities that can be seen on an ECG in this category of arrhythmias?
A
- Dysfunctions originating below the AV node in the ventricle
- Electrical abnormalities in the AV bundle, bundle branches, Purkinje fibres or ventricular muscle
- Premature ventricular contractions, Ventricular tachycardia, Ventricular fibrillation, and Torsades de pointes
6
Q
- What is Torsades de Pointes?
- What is a cardiac action potential?
- 0 is depolarization, what are the other 4 phases that follow in the action potential?
A
- Increasing and decreasing in amplitude waveform
- 4 phases resulting from differences in ion conductance across cell membranes (usually due to ion movement)
- Transient repolarization, 2. Plateau phase of repolarization, 3. Rapid repolarization, and 4. Resting membrane potential
7
Q
- What is the goal of anti-arrhythmic therapy?
- What are we concerned with when treating arrhythmias?
- What are the 5 signs?
A
- To stabilize abnormal heart rhythms
- Concerned with signs of instability
- Chest pain, ↓ BP, Altered LOC, ↑ WOB/signs of CHF
8
Q
- Cardiac anti-arrhythmic drugs are classified according to what system?
- What are the 5 drug classifications within this system?
- Class I Na+ channel blockers are ________-________ agents.
- What is the MOA?
- Effects are exerted on ___-_____ cells. Which 3 are involved?
A
- Vaughan-Williams System
- Sodium channel blockade, Beta-adrenergic blockade, Potassium channel blockade, Calcium channel blockade, and Other/unknown mechanism
- Membrane stabilizing
- ↓ slope of phase 0 (depolarization), ↓ amplitude of the action potential
- Atrial muscle cells, Ventricular muscle cells, and Conduction tissue
9
Q
- Class Ia Na+ channel blockers pose ______ effects. Class Ib pose ______ effects. Class Ic pose ______ effects.
- Class Ia has ______ decrease in slope of phase 0. Class Ib has ______ decrease in slope of phase 0. class Ic has _______ decrease in slope of phase 0.
- Class Ia ____ duration of AP. Class Ib ____ duration of AP. Class Ic _____ duration of AP.
- class Ia ___ absolute refractory period. Class Ib ___ absolute refractory period. Class Ic ___ absolute refractory period.
A
- Ia = moderate effects, Ib = weak effects, Ic = strong effects
- Ia = moderate, Ib = small, Ic = significant
- Ia = increases, Ib = decreases, Ic = increase or decrease (both)
- Ia = increase, Ib = decrease, Ic = increase or decrease (both)
10
Q
- With class I Na+ channel blockers, which cells are slower to depolarize? result?
- This class of drugs is useful in treating?
- What does this class of drugs prevent? What does this help to avoid? (3)
A
- surrounding cells –> ↓ conduction velocity therefore, decreasing HR
- increased HR caused by re-entry mechanisms.
- Prevent leakage of electrical currents back into impulse generating tissue, thereby avoiding:
re-stimulation, ↓ refractory period, and premature activation
11
Q
- What type of drug is Quinidine?
- What is special about this drug?
- What are the 4 net effects when taking this drug?
- What are the 3 indications/arrhythmias for taking this drug?
A
- Class Ia anti-arrhythmic Na+ channel blocker
- prototype drug (one of the earliest drugs of its kind)
- Slows AV conduction (between atria and ventricles) , Prolongs PR interval, Slows intraventricular conduction –> widens QRS complex, and Lengthens QT interval
- SVT, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation
12
Q
- What is the contraindication to using Quinidine?
- Which patients should we watch out for due to this contraindication?
- What is the precaution when taking this drug? When does this effect happen?
- What are the 6 adverse effects?
A
- Conduction defects –> can severely slow automaticity
- CHF patients d/t negative dromotropic effects
- Low concentration = anti-vagal effect (↑ HR) –> rebound effect happens when dosing is off
- Resp depression/distress (Combined with other dugs (loperamide) or allergies)
- N/V/D
- Seizures
- Tinnitus
- ↓ BP
- syncope
- Resp depression/distress (Combined with other dugs (loperamide) or allergies)
13
Q
- What is the other drug name for Procainamide?
- What type of drug is this?
- This drug is a derivative of?
A
- Pronestyl
- class Ia anti-arrhythmic Na+ channel blocker
- local anesthetic procaine
14
Q
- What must be monitored when taking Procainamide? What should this be monitored for?
- What 3 arrhythmias can this drug help treat?
- What are the 6 adverse effects with this drug?
- Large doses of this drug can be associated with which 4 other arrhythmias?
A
- active metabolite N-acetyl procainamide for efficacy/toxicity (short therapeutic window)
- ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter
- Leukopenia – WBC’s , Agranulocytosis – WBC’s , Lupus erythematosus-like syndrome, Hypotension, bradycardia, and other arrhythmias
- Vfib, Vtach, asystole, and torsades de pointes
15
Q
- What is the other drug name for Lidocaine?
- What type of drug is this?
- what does this drug specifically cause?
- What can this drug be used to treat?
A
- Xylocaine
- Class Ib anti-arrhythmic Na+ channel blocker
- depression of automaticity
- ventricular arrhythmias (Vfib/Vtach) during surgery or after an MI
16
Q
- What is needed in order for lidocaine to maintain NSR?
- What are the 2 ways this drug can be given to a patient?
- What are the 3 precautions when using this drug?
- What are the 5 adverse effects?
A
- continuous infusion needed
- IV (loading dose 50-100mg) and ETT (dose must be doubled)
- hepatic failure, CHF, and certain heart blocks
- CNS toxicity –> Drowsiness, Agitation, Seizures, Coma, and Hypotension
17
Q
- What type of drug is Flecainide?
- What is this drug used to treat specifically?
- What 3 arrhythmias can this drug also be used to treat?
- What can this drug cause in some patients?
A
- Class Ic anti-arrhythmic Na+ channel blocker (strong)
- refractory ventricular arrhythmias
- SVT, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation
- May cause ventricular arrhythmias in some patients (limited usefulness)