AF Flashcards
What is atrial fibrillation and complications
- An irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow
- People with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of having a stroke. In extreme cases, atrial fibrillation can also lead to heart failure.
Signs and symptoms of AF
- heart palpatations
- Increased and irregular HR
- SOB
- dizzy
- chest pain
Rationale for drug use
AF
reduce symptoms and minimise morbidity by slowing ventricular rate (rate control) and/or restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm (rhythm control)
prevent stroke.
Drugs for AF treatment
- Beta blockers (Metoprolol or atenolol) are suggested as first line therapy for rate control
* Warfarin
* Heparin
* Dabigatran
* Rivaroxaban
* Apixaban
Stroke risk assessment (CHA2DS2-VA) for non-valvular AF and anticoagulant treatment options
Suffix:
Beta-blocker
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Drug class
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Beta-blockers
Indication
Beta-blocker
Hypertension
Angina
Tachyarrhythmias
MI
Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as part of standard treatment
Prevention of migraine
MOA
Beta-blocker
Competitively block beta receptors in heart, peripheral vasculature, bronchi, pancreas, uterus, kidney, brain and liver.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, BP and cardiac contractility; also depress sinus node rate and slow conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, and prolong atrial refractory periods.
Precautions / adverse effects
Beta-blockers
Shock (cardiogenic and hypovolaemic)—contraindicated.
Hyperthyroidism—beta-blockers may mask clinical signs, eg tachycardia.
Phaeochromocytoma—beta-blockers may aggravate hypertension; an alpha-blocker should be given first.
History of anaphylactic reactions—beta-blockers may reduce the response to usual doses of adrenaline (epinephrine) for anaphylaxis.
Myasthenic symptoms—may worsen.
CARDIACContraindicated in bradycardia (45–50 beats/minute), second‑ or third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome (without pacemaker), severe hypotension or uncontrolled heart failure.
Respiratory contraindicated in asthma, alpha 1 selective drugs may be used in controlled asthma and COPD
Myasthenic symptoms (muscle weakness)
Adverse effects
Beta-blockers
- bradycardia,
- hypotension,
- orthostatic hypotension
- bronchospasm,
- dyspnoea,
- fatigue, dizziness
- Mask Hypoglycemia
Can mask signs of hypoglycemia in diabetics
Counselling / practice points
Beta-blockers
Counselling
This medicine may cause dizziness or tiredness
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly
Practice points
beta-blockers are not usually recommended first line for uncomplicated essential hypertension; they are associated with reduced protection against stroke in the elderly
**when stopping treatment, reduce dosage gradually
Drug class and indication
Atenolol
Beta-blocker
Hypertension
Angina
Tachyarrhythmias
MI
Drug class and Indication
Metoprolol
Beta-blocker
Hypertension
Angina
Tachyarrhythmias
MI
Prevention of migraine
Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as part of standard treatment
Drug class
Warfarin
Anticoagulant