Antiarrythmics Flashcards
What is the intrinsic rate of SA node? AV node? Purkinje fibers?
SA: 60-100
AV: 40-60
Purkinje: 15-40
SA has a higher resting potential of -55 (compared to -90 of most cells) so it fires more easily
Explain the phases (0-4) of the action potential in cardiac cells. What channels are opening/closing? Which phases are the refractory period?
Phase 0: rapid depolarization (upstroke), Na fast in
Phase 1: partial repolarization, Na channels close
Phase 2: plateau, Ca slowly in
Phase 3: repolarization, Ca channels close, K slow out
Phase 4: pacemaker potential, return to resting potential
Refractory period is phases 1-3 (another signal can’t be generated)
How is the SA node controlled by SNS and PSNS?
SNS: B1 receptors activated, increases catecholamines (NE, epi), HR, automaticity, facilitates conduction of AV node
PSNS: M2 receptors activated, Decreases HR, inhibits AV conduction (ACh, vagal response)
What is altered automaticity?
Latent pacemaker cells take over SA node’s role, escape beats
Ex: pain or stress can cause sinus tachycardia
What is delayed after-depolarization?
Normal action potential of cardiac cell triggers a train of abnormal depolarizations
Ex: this can be caused by drug or electrolyte imbalance
What is conduction block?
Impulse fails to propagate in non-conducting tissue
This can be due to damaged cardiac areas or because it is in its refractory period
What is re-entry?
Most common way arrhythmia is formed (most anti-arrhythmic drugs work on this)
Refractory tissue reactivated repeatedly and rapidly due to unidirectional block (due to ischemia or refractory period) which causes abnormal continuous circuit
How do the classes of antiarrhythmic drugs relate to the phases of cardiac conduction?
Class I: sodium channel blockers, phase 0
Class II: beta adrenergic blockers, phase 4
Class III: potassium channel blockers, phase 1-2
Class IV: calcium channel blockers, phase 2
Class V: unclassified
What are Class I agents? How do they work?
Block sodium channels which depress phase 0
This decreases depolarization rate and slows conduction velocity
What are class IA agents? Name a few.
Intermediate Na channel blockers Decreased depolarization rate Slows conduction velocity Prolonged repolarization Quinidine (this is the prototype, not used often), procainamide, disopyramide- most common, oral agent, moricizine- oral agent
What are class IB agents? Name a few
FAST Na channel blockers
Little effect on velocity of depolarization, but shortens action potential duration and shortens refractory period
Decreases automaticity
Lidocaine (the prototype), mexiletine (oral agent for tachyarrhythmias), phenytoin
What is lidocaine used for?
FAST sodium channel blocker
Used in acute treatment/prevention of ventricular dysrhythmias, especially right after an MI
Vtach, Vfib, PVCs
Lidocaine dose?
1-1.5 mg/kg IV, infusion 1-4 mg/min (max dose 3 mg/kg)
Is lidocaine protein bound, what is the metabolism like? E1/2t?
50% protein binding Active metabolite which prolongs E1/2t E1/2t = 1.4-8 hours Therapeutic plasma concentration 1-5 mcg/mL 10% renal elimination
What IMPAIRS metabolsm of lidocaine? What INDUCES it?
IMPAIRED by drugs such as cimetidine and propanolol or conditions like CHF, acute MI, liver dysfunction, GA
INDUCED by drugs like barbiturates, phenytoin, or rifampin
Adverse effects of lidocaine?
Hypotension, bradycardia, seizures, CNS depression, drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, tinnitus, confusion, apnea, myocardial depression, sinus arrest, heart block, ventilatory depression, cardiac arrest and can augment preexisting neuromuscular blockade
(Like with LA toxicity, CNS first, then myocardial depression to respiratory depression)
What are Class IC agents? Name some.
SLOW Na channel blockers
Potent decrease of depolarization rate (phase 0) and decreased conduction rate with increased action potential
Inhibit conduction through His-Purkinje system
Flecainide (the prototype), propafenone
What is Flecainide used for? (This is the same for propafenone)
Effective in treatment of suppressing ventricular PVCs and Vtach, also atrial tachyarrthmias, WPW syndrome (re-entry rhythm)
Oral agent
Has proarrhythmic side effects
What are Class II agents? What are they used for?
Beta-adrenergic antagonists. Depress phase 4 depolarization in SA node causing slowed HR, decrease in myocardial oxygen requirement (good for CAD pt), slows speed of conduction, prolongs P-R interval, decrease contractility/automaticity
Treats SVT, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, during MI and reperfusion, treat tachyarrhythmias secondary to dig toxicity
Name some Class II agents.
Propranolol- prototype
Metoprolol
Esmolol
Labetolol (off-label use because it blocks alpha and beta)
What is propranolol used for?
It is a nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist
Used to prevent reoccurrence of tachyarrhythmias, both supraventricular and ventricular precipitated by sympathetic stimulation
Decreases phase 4, decreases automaticity and rate
Propranolol dose? Onset? Peak effect? Duration? E1/2t?
1 mg/min (total 3-6 mg) IV or 10-80 mg po
Onset 2-5 min
Peak effect 10-15 min, duration 3-4 hours
E1/2t 2-4 hours
Cardiac effects of propranolol?
Decreased HR, contractility, CO
Increased PVR, coronary vascular resistance
Decreased oxygen demand
Pharmacokinetics of propranolol? Therapeutic plasma level?
90-95% protein bound
Hepatic metabolism, weak metabolite
Therapeutic plasma level 10-30 mcg/mL