2- Cardiovascular II Flashcards
At therapeutic doses, CCBs act selectively on:
Peripheral arterioles
Arterioles and arteries of the heart
THEY DO NOT EFFECT VEINS
Calcium channels in the myocardium, SA node, and AV node are activated by:
Beta 1 receptors
How do the actions of CCBs and Beta Blockers on the heart differ?
They don’t! They’re targeting the exact same thing
CCBs are stopping calcium channels from responding to Beta 1 activation
Beta blockers are preventing that activation from taking place to begin with
What are the three big actions of CCBs?
Negative Inotrope
Negative Chronotrope
Decreases AV conduction
What is the MOA of Verapamil?
Nondihydropyridine CCB: in blood vessels AND the heart
What is the MOA of Nifedepine?
Dihydropyridine CCB: Acts primarily on arterioles and NOT the heart
What are the five actions of Verapamil?
- Arteriole Blockade: Decreased BP
- Coronary artery dilation: improved coronary perfusion
- SA Blockade: Reduced Heart Rate
- AV blockade: Decreased conduction. MOST IMPORTANT ONE.
- Myocardial blockade: decreased contractility
What is the net effect of verapamil? Why?
Verapamil triggers baroreceptor reflexes, which tends to neutralize the HR, Conduction, and contractility effects
The only thing that dramatically changes, then, is vasodilation and increased coronary perfusion
When is Verapamil used?
Angina
Essential HTN
Cardiac Dysrhythmias
Which patients should never receive Verapamil?
Patients with sick sinus syndrome or 2nd or 3rd degree block
What is the MOA of Diltiazem?
Nondihydropyridine CCB: Same as Verapamil
CCs in the heart AND vessels
What is the MOA of Nifedipine?
Dihydropyridine: Blocks CCs in VSM but NOT in the heart
Which drug will most likely increase a patient’s heart rate: Diltiazem or Nifedipine?
Nifedipine
Both of them trigger reflex tachycardia from vasodilation, but only Diltiazem has cardio-suppressive effects. In the case of Nifedipine, that reflex tachycardia is unopposed
If you give Nifedipine as a slow release, really isn’t a problem
How do the MOAs of Hydralazine and Nipride differ?
Hydralazine selectively dilates arterioles
Nipride dilates arterioles and veins
What is the underlying cause of orthostatic hypotension?
VENOdilation
Does hydralazine cause postural hypotension?
Not so much, because it ONLY EFFECTS ARTERIES
If a patient presents with essential hypertension and no compelling indications, what is the first line drug?
A Thiazide Diuretic
Why would you want to combine a vasodilator with a beta blocker?
You can negate the reflex tachycardia caused by the vasodilator with the beta blocker
In addition to salt and water retention, why is RAAS activation so deleterious in heart failure?
It promotes remodeling and fibrosis, impairing pumping and increasing the probability of dysrhythmias
Activates the SNS and inhibits NE uptake in the heart
promotes vascular fibrosis
Promotes baroreceptor dysfunction
Aldosterone Antagonists have one major AE:
Hyperkalemia
Benefits of Digoxin include:
symptomatic relief
NOT A FIRST LINE AGENT
What is the MOA for digoxin?
Inhibits Na-K ATPase, promoting calcium accumulation within myocytes
the calcium augments contractile force
What is the relationship between potassium levels and digoxin effect?
Potassium competes with dig for binding
It potassium levels are low, dig is hyperactive
If potassium levels are high, dig is hypoactive
Patients with HF signs and symptoms should not take which three drugs? Why?
Antidysrhythmics - have cardiosuppressant and prodysrhythmic actions that can worsen HF
CCBs: Can make HF worse EXCEPT Norvasc
NSAIDs: promote sodium retention and peripheral vasoconstriction