Antiarrhythmic Drugs Lecture PDF Flashcards
Fuck
Arrhythmia definition
abnormality in the rhythm of the heart beat that in severe forms can prevent blood from being pumped with two basic types being tachyarrythmias and bradyarrhythmias
Virtually all drugs used to treat arrhythmias can ____ arrhythmias or ____ them
create new, worsen
Myocardial cell (and his-purkinje system) action potential mech of action
- AP propagated down stream causing Na+ voltage gated channels to open
- Na+ influx
- K+ efflux
- Ca2+ influx causing plateau and prolongation
- K+ efflux continues causing repolarization
- Active transporters reset ion conc. to resting potential
Pacemaker cell action potential mech of action
- Spontaneous opening (after leaky channels shift gradient) of Ca2+ channels allowing influx
- K+ efflux repolarizes
- Active transporters reset to “resting” potential that is unstable due to leaky Na and K+ channels
Reentry mechanism
In an area of one way block, the action potential goes from a separate branch and then goes retrograde thru the area of the one way block to continue re-stimulating the muscle cells in that area of the block but at a later moment in time
Antiarrhythmics can have 2 effects on blocks and reentrant mechanisms
- eliminate the block
- convert the block to a 2 way block to prevent reentry mechanism
Sodium channel blockers function, the 3 subclasses, and a drug in each subclass
Include biggest group of antiarrhythmic drugs that produce a blockade of cardiac sodium channels slowing conduction in atria, ventricles, and purkinje system including 1A quinidine, 1B lidocaine, and 1C flecanide
Class ___ antiarrhythmic drugs increase risk of developing new arrhythmia the most
1C
B blockers antiarrhythmic function and 2 examples
Reduce Ca2+ entry during fast and slow potentials reducing automaticity of the pacemaker cells and reducing contractility including propranolol, acebutolol
Drugs that delay repolarization (class III antiarrhythmics)
Blockade K+ channels, delay repolarization of fast channels, prolong AP duration and refractory period, examples include amiodarone, dronedarone
Calcium channel blockers antiarrhythmics 2 examples and function
Verapamil and dilitiazem are only two approved for anti-arrhythmic use, same effect as B blockade to delay conduction and reduce contractility
Digoxin and adenosine function
2 drugs that do not fit into any other classes of antiarrhythmics, both drugs decrease conduction thru AV node and reduce automaticity in SA node
CAST study
Study that saw the use of class 1C drugs (encainide and flecainide) to prevent arrhythmia after MI doubled mortality rate, demonstrated that antiarrhythmics should only be used when benefits outweigh risks
Common mechanism of arrhythmia generation by drugs
Prolongation of QT interval leading to torsades de pointes that can lead to fatal vfib
Which is more dangerous, supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias?
Ventricular!!
Drug therapy for arrhythmia is highly ___, based on response of patient and not scientific principles
empirical
Supraventricular arrhythmias arise from the __ or ___ (locations)
SA or AV node
Supraventricular arrhythmias can be dangerous if…
…the atrial impulses are likely to pass thru the AV node resulting in excitation of the ventricles
Treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias (5)
- vagotonic maneuvers
- DC cardioversion
- B blockers
- Ca2+ blockers
- Adenosine and digitoxin
Atrial flutter treatment of choice
-DC cardioversion almost always converts to normal sinus rhythm
Atrial fibrillation treatments of choice (2)
-DC cardioversion or antiarrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone