anti-arrythmic drugs Flashcards
what happens when the left vagus is hyperstimulated
predisposes the heart to atrioventricular (AV) blocks.
What are the principle intracellular cations of the heart?
Anions?
Extracellularly?
K+ is the principal cation
Phosphate and the conjugate bases of organic acids are the dominant anions.
Extracellularly, Na+ is the predominant cation and Cl- is the predominant anion.
what are pacemaker channels of the HCN family
hyperpolarization-gated, cyclic nucleotide-gated channels with autorhythmicity potential
The activity of these channels in the SA node cells causes the membrane potential to slowly become more positive depolarized until, eventually, calcium channels are activated and an action potential is initiated.
depolarization of myocites
- depolarization of myocardial cells causes the opening of voltage- gated calcium channels and entry of Ca2+ from the t-tubules.
- This influx of calcium causes calcium-induce calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the increase in myoplasmic free Ca2 concentration causes muscle contraction.
- After a delay (the absolute refractory period), Potassium channels reopen and the resulting flow of K+ out of the cell causes repolarization to the resting state.
cardiac action potential
Phase 0 – Sodium channels open (Na+ in)
Phase I – Sodium channels close, Potassium channels begin to open (K+ out)
Phase II – Calcium and Potassium channels open (Ca ++ in and K+ out)
Phase III – Calcium channels close
Phase IV – Cells return to resting membrane potential (-70 mV)

Two voltage-dependent calcium channels
L-type calcium channel (“L” for “long lasting”) . Sustaining channels
T-type calcium channels (“T” stands for “transient”) voltage-gated calcium channels. Initiating channels
what are common causes of arrythmias?
ischemic and damaged heart tissue, electrolyte disturbances, pH imbalance and other factors involved in the conduction of depolarization from the SA node to the ventricles. DRUGS
Anti-arrhythmic drug therapy is aimed at?
affecting either specialized ion channels or by affecting sympathetic tone.
Anti-arrhythmic drug classes: 1 a, 1b, 1c
Ia – Sodium channel blockade–slows phase 0, prolong action potential and slow conduction
Ib – Sodium channel blockade–shortens phase 3–repolarization and decrease the duration of the action potential by blocking or inactivated sodium channels.
Ic – Sodium channel blockade–markedly slows phase 0 depolarization
Anti-arrhythmic drug classes: II, III, IV
II – Beta adrenergic receptor blockade : beta blockers which diminish phase 4 depolarization, thus depressing automaticity.
III – Potassium channel blockade: prolong phase 3 repolarization without altering phase 0.
IV – Calcium channel blockade: slow phase 4 depolarization and slow conduction, particularly at the AV node.
Class I/ Na+ channel blockers
- Quinidine/ Quinidex - (Ia)
- Procainamide/ Pronestyl (Ia)
- Mexiletine/ Mexitil (Ib)
- Lidocaine/Xylocaine (Ib)
- Flecainide/Tambocor (Ic)
- Disopyramide / Norpace - (Ic)
Quinidine/ Quinidex
• Class: Anti-arrhythmic - Class Ia
• Indication: A-flutter, A-fib, AV and
ventricular arrhythmias.
• MOA: Sodium channel blocker. Diminished inward flow of sodium at phase 0 results in decreased automaticity and a lengthened refractory period.
• Char: PO, IV. Less commonly used because of significant adverse effect profile.
Quinidine/Quinidex SE
Side effects: Potentially pro-arrhythmic,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Cinchonism.
- Symptoms of cinchonism include blurred vision, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting headache, disorientation and possible psychotic states.
- May induce an abnormal rhythm of ventricular tachycardia known as Torsade de Pointes.
Mexiletine/ Mexitil
• Class: Anti-arrhythmic Class Ib • Indication: Ventricular arrhythmias, particularly recurrent v-tach after MI • MOA: Blocks open sodium channels and shortens phase 3 repolarization. • Char: PO, IV • Side effects: Drowsiness, confusion, potentially pro-arrhythmic. 
Flecainide/ Tambocor
- Class: Anti-arrhythmic - Class Ic
- Indication: Treatment of many types of supraventricular tachycardias, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia.
- MOA: Sodium channel blocker
- Char: PO, IV, Narrow therapeutic index
Simply put, Flecainide works by regulating the flow of sodium in the heart, thus slowing nerve impulses.