Arrhythmia: therapies Drugs for irregular heart rhythms, and anticoagulation Flashcards
What is an arrhythmia
Deviation from the normal rhythm of the heart
Types of arrhythmias
Sinus
Tachycardia
Bradycardias
Tachycardias
Supraventricular (atrial fibillation and SVT (junctional) Ventricular arrhythmia (Tachycardia and fibrillation)
Resting Membrane Potential
- During RMP the inside of the cell is a net negative charge relative to the outside
- Dependent on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump (requires energy)
Action Potential (3)
- Na+ enters the cell causing depolarisation once the threshold hits -40 mV
- Ca++ enters the cell, initiation of contraction
- K+ exits the cell causing repolarisation
Vaughan-Williams Classification antiarrhythmics
Class I- V
Class IA electrophysiological property
(moderate) sodium-channel blockade, thus reducing amplitude of AP and conduction velocity
Class IA examples (3)
Quinidine
Procainamide
Dispyramide
Class IB electrophysiological property
(Weak) sodium-channel blockades, thus reducing amptitude of AP and conduction velocity
Class IB drugs examples (3)
Lidocaine
Mexeletine
Tocainide
Class IC electrophysiological properties
(strong) sodium-channel blockade thus reducing amplitude of AP and conduction velocity
Class IC drug examples
Flecainide
Propafenone
Class II electrophysiological properties
B-Adrenergic receptor antagonism
Class II examples
Atenolol
Bisoprolol
Class III electrophysiological peoperties
Prolong refractoriness (slow K flow out of cells)
Class III drug examples
Amiodorane
Bretylium
Sotalol
Class IV electrophysiological properties
Calcium channel blockade
Class IV drug examples
Diltiazem
Verapamil
Class V drug
Other
Digoxin
Class I drug most commonly used
Fleicanide
Action of Class II (2)
Prolongs phase 4 depolarisation (slows SA discharge and AV conduction and reduces excitability in non-nodal cardiac tissues)
Shortens phase 2- negative effect on contractility
First line for atrial fibrillation
Class II drugs
Class III drugs are used for
dysrhythmias that are difficult to treat
• Life-threatening ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, atrial fibrillation or flutter- resistant to other drugs
Use of Amiodarone
VT and supraventricular tachycardia