Antiarrhythmic Drugs Flashcards
Strategy when thinking of tachycardias?
Divide into:
ventricular
supraventricular tachycardias
What would be a target of ventricular tachycardias?
Na+ channels to block ventricular depolarization
Na+ channel blockers have what effects on ECG?
prolong the QRS interval
Class I drugs have what major action?
block Na+ channels
K+ channel blockers have what effect on ECG?
They prolong QT intervals
Class 1 drugs have what major MOA?
They block Na+ channels
What are the different classes of Class I antiarrythmics based on? Explain
their ability to dissociate from Na+ channels?
1a intermediate
1b least effect on phase 0
1c greatest phase 0 depression; therefore prolongs QRS the most
What causes phase 1 of fast response fibers?
Na+ channels inactivated
Some His Purkinje cells transient outward K+ currents with inward Cl- currents contribute to notch and overshoot
What are the causes of phase 2 in fast response fibers?
plateau phase in which a slow influx of Ca2+ (Ica-L) is balanced by late appearing outward K+ current (the delayed rectifier current Ik)
Are there any major antiarrythmic effects of drugs on phase 1 or 2 of fast response fibers?
no
What ion channels are responsible for phase 3 in fast response fibers?
repolarization phase in which the delayed rectifier K+ current rapidly increases as the Ca2+ current dies out because of time-dependent channel inactivation
Which class of anti-arrhythmic drugs slows the re-polarization phase?
class III
What are the phase 4 resting potential of the fast muscle fibers maintained by?
activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase
Capacity of a fast muscle fiber to depolarize is associated with what?
number of Na+ channels in ready state
The more negative the RMP in fast muscle fibers the faster or slower the response?
faster the response
What are the 3 major determinant of conduction velocity?
- Rate of phase 0 depolarization - as Vmax decreases, conduction velocity decreases and vice versa.
- Threshold potential- the less negative, the slower the conduction velocity
- The resting potential - the more negative the RP, the faster the conduction
What types of drugs are good for SVTs?
Those that target the slow response fibers
What is spontaneous depolarization phase 4 is caused by what?
not completely understood
composite of inward Na+ (If) and Ca2+ (Ica-t) currents and outward K+ currents (Ik)
Depolarization of slow fibers depends on what channels?
on activation of Ca2+ channels (Ica-L and Ica-t)
Which class of antiarrhythmics can slow or block phase 0 in slow response fibers?
class IV
During repolarization of slow response fibers Ca2+ currents are opposed and overcome by what?
delayed rectifier K+ current
phase 3
Which class of anti-arrythmics can slow down phases 4 in pacemaker fibers?
Class II and IV
What are class II antiarrhythmics?
B blockers
What are class IV anti-arrythmics?
CCBs
What is refractoriness?
the inability to respond to stimulus
What is ERP?
ERP effective refractory period
when no stimulus can elicit a response
How long does ERP last?
lasts into late stage 3 of AP because Na+ channels are effectively inactivated and not into the ready state
How do K+ channel blocker affect ERP?
they prolong ERP
What are RRPs? What is the purpose?
relative refractory period
when a strong stimulus can elicit a response but the timing will be out of sync with rest of heart and arrhythmias may occur
Ratio of ERP to APD is a measure of what?
refractoriness
What may decreases in ERP cause?
formation and propagation of premature impulses
At what V does M gate typically close?
-50 mV
At approx. what voltage does h gate open?
-85mV
Do K+ blockers prolong APD?
yes
What are the 3 conformations of sodium channels?
resting or ready state, M gate closed h open
open active state M gate open h open
inactive or refractory state M gate open h closed
Why is rate of recovery slower in ischemic tissue?
because cells partly depolarized at rest
What is the MOA of Class 1A anti-arrythmics?
Na+ channel blocker (tend to target open state more than inactivated state sodium channels)
Block K+ channels