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Pharmacology > Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs > Flashcards

Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs Flashcards

1
Q

Class IA antiarrhythmics

A

Quinidine
Procainamide
Disopyramide

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2
Q

Class IA actions and changes on EKG

A

Na+ channel blockers
Also inhibit K+ channels

Slow rate of change of phase 0 = slowing conduction, prolong AP and increase ventricular refractory period

Prolong phase 3 = prolongs refractory period = increases length of AP

Increases QRS and QT intervals:
Na+ channel block pushes phase 0 to the right and decreases slope of phase 0 = increased QRS
K+ channel block prolongs repolarization = increases QT –> can lead to early after depolarization occurring because some Na+ channels get reactivated ready to be opened again –> can cause further arrhythmias

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3
Q

Class IA clinical applications

A

Can suppress both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias as they affect myocardial AP

Replaced by more effective and safer drugs

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4
Q

Quinidine AE, PK and contraindications

A

Blocks Na+ and K+ channels (class IA)

AE:

  • Pro-arrhythmic: torsades de pointes
  • SA or AV block
  • Cinchonism: tinnitus, blurred vision, headache, psychosis
  • N/V and diarrhea
  • Thrombocytopenic purpura
  • Toxic doses: ventricular tachycardia (exacerbated by hyperkalemia)

PK:
Oral or IV
Inhibits CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein

Contraindications in patients with complete heart block
Use carefully in patient with:
Prolonged QT, history of torsades de pointes, incomplete heart block, HF, myocarditis

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5
Q

Procainamide AE, PK and contraindications

A

Class IA

PK:

  • IV only
  • Metabolised by acetylation by CYP2D6 to NAPA which causes the K+ channel block and prolongs duration of AP

AE:

  • Reversible lupus-like syndrome
  • Toxic doses: systole, induction of ventricular arrhythmias (because it prolongs QT)
  • CNS effects: hallucinations, depression, psychosis
  • Hypotension
Contraindications:
 Hypersensitivity 
- Complete heart block 
- SLE 
- 2nd degree AV block 
- Torsades de pointes
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6
Q

Disopyramide actions and AE

A 
Class IA drug (blocks Na+ and K+ channels) 
Also has:
- Strong negative inotropic effects 
- Strong antimuscarinic effects 
- Causes peripheral vasoconstriction

AE:

  • Pronounced negative inotropic effects (decreases CO)
  • Severe antimuscarinic effects: dry mount, urinary retention, blurred vision, constipation
  • May induce hypotension and cardiac failure
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7
Q

Class IB antiarrhythmics, actions and changes on EKG

A

Lidocaine
Mexiletine

Na+ channel blockers
Slow phase 0 and decrease slope of phase 4

Shortens phase 3 repolarization - shortens length of AP but it is not clinically significant

Rapidly associate and dissociate with Na+ channels –> least affinity for Na+ channels —> If there are normal cells, unlikely to see any changes when these drugs are given –> no changes on EKG as it only effects very fast firing tissues –> more specific for arrhythmic tissues

Increases QRS interval (but less change than class IA) 
Small decrease in QT interval
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8
Q

Lidocaine MOA, PK and clinical applications

A

Local anaesthetic
More effect on ischemic or diseased tissue
Little effect on K+ channels

PK:
Given IV only (extensive first pass metabolism)
Wide toxic-therapeutic ratio

Used for:

  • Acute treatment of ventricular arrhythmias from MI or cardiac manipulation (eg: cardiac surgery)
  • Treatment of digitalis induced arrhythmias (digoxin toxicity)
  • Only used to treat ventricular arrhythmias
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9
Q

Lidocaine AE

A

Wide toxic-therapeutic ratio - hard to overdose
CNS effects - drowsiness, slurred speech
No negative inotropic effect
Cardiac arrhythmias (<10%)
Toxic doses: convulsion and coma

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10
Q

Mexiletine MOA, PK, clinical applications and AE

A

Orally active derivative of lidocaine
Can be given orally or IV

Used for management of severe ventricular arrhythmias (does not treat atrial arrhythmias)

AE: Mainly CNS and GI effects

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11
Q

Class IC antiarrhytmics actions and changes in EKG

A

Flecainide
Propafernone

Potent Na+ channel blockers 
Depression of phase 0 = marked slowing of conduction of AP but little effect on duration or ventricular refractory period 
Associate and dissociate slowly with Na+ channels --> highest affinity for Na+ channels therefore for have the biggest increase in QRS out of all class I drugs

Increase QRS but no effect on QT interval

Slow prominent effects even at normal heart rates (pro-arrhythmic)

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12
Q

Flecainide clinical applications

A

Class IC drugs that can correct the arrhythmia, dampen down the extra impulses and allow the dominant impulse from the SA node to control the HR –> can put the patient back into sinus rhythm

Severe symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias, premature ventricular contraction or ventricular tachycardia resistant to other therapies

Severe symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmia and prevention of a. fib

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13
Q

Flecainide AE and contraindications

A

Negative inotropic effects (aggrevates CHF)
CNS effects: dizziness, blurred vision, headache
GI effects: N/V, diarrhea
Life-Threatening arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia

Contraindicated in patients with CHF as it is associated with fatal arrhythmias in persons with structural heart disease

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14
Q

Propafernone clinical applications

A

Treatment of life-threatening symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias

Maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation

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15
Q

Propafernone AE and contraindications

A

Similar to flecainide:
Negative inotropic effects (aggrevates CHF)
CNS effects: dizziness, blurred vision, headache
GI effects: N/V, diarrhea
Life-Threatening arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia

Contraindications:

  • Heart failure
  • Has b-blocking activity: cannot give to patients with bronchospasm (COPD, asthma)
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16
Q

Class II antiarrhythmics, actions and changes on EKG

A

b-blockers: metoprolol, propanolol and esmolol

  • Reduce both heart rate and myocardial contractility (negative inotropy and decreased PVR)
  • Will have main effect in SA node and the AV node
  • Slow conduction of impulses through myocardial conducting system
  • Reduce rate of spontaneous depolarisation in cells with pacemaker activity

Increase PR interval:

  • Decreased slope of phase 4 depolarisation (nodal AP)
  • Prolong repolarization at AV node
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17
Q

Class II antiarrhythmics clinical applications (3)

A

1) Reduce incidence of sudden arrhythmic death post MI

2) Control of supra ventricular tachycardias (atrial fibrillation and flutter, AV nodal re-entrant tachycardias) : - This will not cure the arrhythmia as they do not act directly on the atria where the arrhythmia is originating
- Can prevent the atrial arrhythmia from becoming a ventricular arrhythmia
- Will not put it back into sinus rhythm

3) Ventricular tachycardias (catecholamine induced or due to digoxin toxicity)
- If there is a catecholamine excess, then these drugs are a good choice as they will dampen effects in both nodes

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18
Q

Esmolol clinical applications

A

Short acting b1 selective antagonist = class II drug

t1/2 = 9 minutes

Used IV for treatment of acute arrhythmias occurring during surgery or in emergency situations

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19
Q

Class II antiarrhythmics contraindications

A
  • Patients taking Ca+ channel blockers
  • Acute CHF (do not want to drop CO further)
  • Severe bradycardia
  • 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
  • Propanolol: asthma and COPD
20
Q

Class III antiarrhythmics main actions

A

Amiodarone
Sotalol
Dofetilide

K+ channel blockers –> prolong phase 3 depolarisation –> prolong AP without altering phase 0 or RMP

Prolong effective refractory period
All have potential to induce arrhythmias (increased risk of after depolarizations which can lead to torsades des pointes)

21
Q

Amiodarone MOA and effects on EKG

A

Related structurally to thyroxine (contains iodine)

Complex MOA:

  • Has class I, II, III and some IV effects
  • Dominant effect = K+ channel blockade
  • Blocks mostly inactivated Na+ channels
  • Blocks Ca+ channels and b-blocker: decreases AV conduction and sinus node function
  • Weak Ca+ channel blocker
  • Inhibits adrenergic stimulation
  • Anti-anginal activity

Will increase QRS, QT and PR intervals on EKG

Benefit is that the arrhythmias that can be caused by these drugs are the Torsade des pointes (after depolarizations) due to the blockade of the K+ channels (class III activity) —> These can be caused by an increase in Na+ current or even Ca2+ current (digoxin) —> But since this drug is a Na+ and Ca2+ blocker, it will treat its own arrhythmias

**Only drug that extends QT but does not increase risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

22
Q

Amiodarone clinical applications (3)

A

1) Used to manage ventricular and supra ventricular arrhythmias
2) DOC for acute ventricular tachycardia refractory to cardioversion shock
3) Low doses for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (rate and rhythm control)

23
Q

Amiodarone PK

A

Oral and IV

Half-life: several weeks, distributes in adipose tissue so a loading dose is needed

Full clinical effects and AE may take 6 weeks to achieve

24
Q

Amiodarone AE and contraindications

A

Long term use: > 50% show severe AE (many are dose-related and reversible)

  • Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
  • Blue skin discolorizution (iodine accumulation)
  • Low incidence of torsades de pointes (even though it increases QT)
  • Hyper or hypothyroidism
  • Liver toxicity
  • Photosensitivity
  • Bradycardia
  • AV block

Contraindications:

  • Patients taking: digoxin, theophylline, warfarin and quinidine (effects other drugs that extensively protein bound)
  • Bradycardia
  • SA or AV block
  • Severe hypotension
  • Severe respiratory failure
25
Q

Sotalol MOA and effects on EKG

A

Class III drug

  • K+ channel blocker and potent non-selective b-blocker
  • Inhibits rapid outward K+ current
  • Acts on SA/AV node to slow conduction of impulses
  • Prolongs repolarizations and duration of AP
  • Lengthens refractory period

Increases QT and PR intervals

26
Q

Sotalol clinical applications, AE and contraindications

A

Can be used for both ventricular and supraventricualr arrhythmias
- Maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter

AE:

  • Same as b-blockers
  • Torsades de pointes (prolongs QT interval)

Contraindications:
- Use with caution in patients with renal impairment

27
Q

Dofetilide MOA and changes in EKG

A

Class III drug: potent and pure K+ channel blocker

Increases QT interval only

Converts atrial fibrillation or flutter to normal sinus rhythm

28
Q

Dofetilide PK and AE

A

Excreted in urine (80% unchanged)
–> Renal failure can lead to drug accumulation in unchanged, active form which can lead to increased AE

AE:

  • Torsades des pointes
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Ventricular tachycardia
29
Q

Class IV antiarrhythmics

A

Diltiazem
Verapamil

Ca+ channel blockers
Decrease inward Ca+ current –> decreased rate of phase 0 depolarisation
Slow conduction in tissues dependant on Ca+ current –> main effects on SA and AV nodes
Bind only to open, depolarised channels, preventing depolarisation before drug dissociates
Slow conduction and prolong effective refractory period
Also inhibit vascular Ca+ channels

Major effects:

  • Decreased PVR
  • Decreased contractility (negative inotropy)
  • Decreased heart rate (negative chronotropy)
  • Decreased condition velocity (negative dromotropy)

Increase PR interval (due to slow rate of phase 0)

30
Q

Class IV antiarrhythmics clinical applications

A

More effective against atrial arrhythmias

1) Supraventricular tachycardia (but cannot cure arrhythmia)
2) Reduction of ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and flutter
3) Hypertension (1st line drugs)
4) Diastolic heart failure (cannot be used in systolic)
5) Angina

31
Q

Class IV antiarrhythmics AE and contraindications

A

Negative inotropy
CNS effects - headache, fatigue, dizziness
GI effects - constipation (especially with verapamil)

Contraindications:

  • Verapamil cause increase concentration of other CVS drugs –> digoxin, dofetilide, simvastatin and lovastatin
  • Patients taking b-blockers
  • 2nd or 3rd degree heart blocker
  • Severe left ventricular dysfunction (and systolic HF)
32
Q

Digoxin MOA and antiarrhythmic actions:

A

Shortens refractory period in atrial and ventricular myocardial cells = shortens atrial AP
—> Blocks Na+/K+ ATPase –> increases intracellular Na+ –> less drive for Ca2+ to leave cell –> increased intracellular Ca2+ –> increased contractility (positive inotrope)

Prolongs effective refractory period and diminishes conduction velocity in AV node (slows conduction in nodal tissue)
—> Direct AC node blocking effects and vagomimetic properties –> Inhibits Ca2+ currents in AV node and activates Ach-mediated K+ currents in atrium

Antiarrhythmic actions:
1) Slows AV conduction
2 Prolongs effective refractory period of AV node –> decreases the number of atrial impulses that are conducted through node –> increases PR interval

33
Q

Digoxin clinical applications

A

Useful in treating atrial flutter and fibrillations:
1) Slows AV conduction
2 Prolongs effective refractory period of AV node –> decreases the number of atrial impulses that are conducted through node –> increases PR interval

34
Q

Digoxin AE

A

Toxic doses:

  • Alteration of color perception (yellow-green dues)
  • Ectopic ventricular beats –> ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation
  • GI effects: anorexia, N/V
  • CNS effects: headache, fatigue, blurred vision
35
Q

Adenosine

A

P1 receptor agonist

Enhances K+ conductance
Inhibits cAMP-mediated Ca2+ influx
Leads to hyperpolarization especially in AV node

Actions on AV node:
Decreases conduction velocity
Prolongs refractory period
Decreases automaticity

Increases PR interval

36
Q

Adenosine PK, clinical applications and AE

A

Very short half life (15 seconds) so needs to be given via continuous IV infusion

DOC for abolishing acute supraventricular tachycardia

AE (low toxicity)
Bronchoconstriction in asthmatics
Flushing, burning
Chest pain (adenosine is released during MI so pain will be very similar but it is very short lived)

37
Q

Magnesium MOA, effects on EKG and clinical applications

A

Functional Ca2+ antagonist

Acts on all myocardial cells –> increases QRS and PR intervals

Used to treat:

  • Torsades de pointes (blocking Ca2+ currents prevents early afterdepolarisations)
  • Digitalis-induced arrhythmia
  • Prophylaxis of arrhythmia in acute MI
38
Q

Atropine MOA and clinical uses

A

Decreases vagal tone and acts on nodal cells

Used to treat bradyarrhythmias (but most are treated with a pacemaker)

39
Q

Antiarrhythmics that act on SA node (3)

A 
b-blcokers (class II)
Ca2+ channel blockers (class IV)
Digoxin
40
Q

Antiarrhythmics that act on AV node (4)

A

b-blockers
Ca2+ channel blockers
Digoxin
Adenosine

41
Q

Antiarrhythmics that act on atrial myocytes (3)

A 
Class IA (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide)
Class IC drugs (flecaindine, propafernone) 
K+ channel blockers (amiodarone, satolol, dofetilide)
42
Q

Antiarrhythmics that act on ventricular myocytes (2)

A 
Na+ channel blockers (all class I) 
K+ channel blockers (class III: amiodarone, satolol, dofetilide)
43
Q

Antiarrhythmics that act on accessory pathways

A

Class IA Na+ channel blockers

K+ channel blockers

44
Q

Treatment approaches to atrial fibrillation

A

Most common arrhythmia
Can be paroxysmal (intermittent) or persistent (chromic)
Focus mainly symptom control and prevention of long-term mortality and morbidity

1) Rhythm control: restore and maintain sinus rhythm
2) Rate control: control of ventricular rate while allowing atrial fibrillation to continue (slow conduction through AV node to prevent it from becoming v. fib which is life-threatening)

45
Q

Rate control drugs for atrial fibrillation

A

All drugs increase PR interval –> want to slow conduction through AV node to control of ventricular rate –> use negative dromotropic agents

  • Ca2+ channel blockers
  • b-blockers
  • Digoxin (in patients with reduced EF or CHF as it is a positive inotrope)
  • Amiodarone (when other agents cannot be used)
46
Q

Rhythm control drugs for atrial fibrillation

A

Induction and mainatence of sinus rhythm

  • Class IC Na+ channel blockers (flecaindine, propafernone)
  • Class III K+ channel blockers (amiodarone, satolol, dofetilide)
  • Class IA act on atrial but never really used
  • Class IB do not act on atria
47
Q

Prevention of thromboembolic events with cardioversion

A

Heparin (IV) - given to unstable patients who require immediate cardioversion

Warfarin (oral) - given to stable patients where cardioversion would be delayed 3-4 weeks until adequate anti-coagulation has been achieved and

Oral anticoagulation should be continued for atlas 4 weeks after procedure as risk of stroke and MI is highest after the normal rhythm is stored as all the blood is going to be expelled from the heart and if there are any clots, they can travel to other areas and cause more damage

Pharmacology (20 decks)

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