Anti-Hypertensives Flashcards
What factors stimulate increased secretion of Renin?
- Decreased macula densa intracellular NaCl (from NKCC2)
- Decreased afferent renal blood pressure (sensed by JG cells) -> inhibits prostaglandins
- Activation of beta-1 adrenergic receptors
Why do NSAIDs interfere with the RAA system?
Signalling for release of renin is done via prostaglandins
-> inhibition of synthesis will inhibit the pathway
What inhibits renin release?
When angiotensin 2 feeds back on an AT1 receptor (receptor for AT2)
What does ACE do and where is it located?
Cleaves Angiotensin 1 to Angiotensin 2, also catalyzes the degradation of bradykinin
Located on vascular endothelium of most organs, but especially lung and kidney
What are the three main effects of angiotensin 2?
- Increased arterial pressure
- Na / fluid retention
- Vascular and cardiac remodeling
How does angiotensin 2 affect blood pressure in the kidneys and peripherally in general?
Directly causes arteriolar and vasoconstriction, and constricts the efferent arteriole of the kidney, generally increasing or having mixed effects on the GFR
What is the effect of AT2 on the kidney?
Directly stimulates Na/H exchanger in proximal tubule, and also enhances aldosterone secretion
What is the effect of AT2 on cardiac / vascular remodelling?
Stimulates the migration, proliferation, and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes. Promotes myocardial fibrosis through aldosterone.
Also increases preload (volume expansion) and afterload (greater peripheral resistance)
Give two important ACE inhibitors
Enalapril
Lisinopril
Why are ACE inhibitors important in chronic heart failure? What effect does this have on cardiac output and stroke volume?
Reduce preload and afterload, thus slowing the progress of ventricular dilation
This actually increases cardiac output and stroke volume in CHF
What affect does an ACE inhibitor have on GFR?
Tends to decrease GFR due to lack of constriction of efferent arteriole, which helps with proteinuria
What diabetic condition are ACE inhibitors good at treating?
Diabetic nephropathy
Give two important side effects of ACE inhibitors?
- Persistant dry cough
- Hyperkalemia (due to decreased aldosterone secretion) -> especially a problem in renal failure or if patient is on another K+ sparing diuretic
Why should NSAIDs not be used with ACE inhibitors?
Can precipitate renal injury due to decreased RBF, and cause hyperkalemia
When are ACE inhibitors contraindicated?
Pregnant patients -> teratogenic
What is the name of the renin inhibitor?
Aliskiren
What are the untoward effects of Aliskeren? Contraindication?
Mainly GI disturances and cough
Contraindicated in pregnancy
Give two angiotensin receptor (AT1) blockers: ARBs?
- Losartan
2. Valsartan
When are ARBs given? Contraindication?
In patients who develop ACE-inhibitor-mediated cough, since ARBs do not cause this
Contraindication is still pregnancy
What is the half life of an ACE inhibitor?
About 12 hours -> good for pairing with HCTZ or other K+ wasting diuretic
What is the neprilysin inhibitor and how does this work? Who is it used in?
Sacubitril
Inhibits neprilysin, which is responsible for cleavage of natriuretic peptides which have good effects.
Used in combination with valsartan for treatment of heart failure
Why are ACE inhibitors and ARBs good in acute myocardial infarction?
They reduce cardiac work
What are the four general effects of beta blockers that make them useful for management of cardiac conditions?
- Decreased cardiac excitability
- Antihypertensive effect
- Reduced inotropy
- Reduced cardiac remodelling (which is normally induced by longterm exposure to NE)
How do beta blockers reduce oxygen consumption by the heart?
They reduce the heart rate, allowing for increased filling time and stroke volume
Furthermore, they reduce the inotropy of the heart, resulting in less forceful contractions
How do beta blockers protect against arrhythmias?
Slowing of conduction velocity and increasing refractory period in atrial muscle and the AV node
-> this reduces the risk of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias escaping into the ventricles (i.e. atrial tachycardia)
How do beta-blockers work as an anti-hypertensive?
Blocking of beta-1 receptors in the JGA will greatly downregulate renin release