Arrhythmias Flashcards
What are the 5 classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs?
~class I- Membrane stabilising drugs
~class II- beta-blocker
~class III- K+ channel blockers
~class IV- calcium channel blockers (rate limiting)
~others
What are the class I anti-arrhythmic drugs known as membrane stabilising drugs? 4 main drugs
disopyramide
lidocaine
flecainide/propafenone (contraindicated in asthma/severe COPD avoid in structural /ischeamic heart disease)
What are the class II anti-arrhythmic drugs known as beta-blockers?
propranolol, esmolol
What are the class III anti-arrhythmic drugs known as K+ channel blockers?
-amiodarone (4 weeks before &12 months after electrical cardioversion to increase success)
-sotalol
-dronedarone
What are the class IV anti-arrhythmic drugs known as CCB (rate limiting)?
-verapamil
-diltiazem (unlicensed)
What other anti-arrhythmic drugs are there?
-adenosine
-digoxin (effective in sedentary patients with non-paroxysmal AF and in patients with associative congestive HR)
What is atrial fibrillation?
abnormal, disorganised electrical signals fired cause the atria to quiver or fibrillate= rapid and irregular heart beat
what are some symptoms for AF?
-heart palpation’s
-dizziness
-shortness of breath
-tiredness
what can be some complications (other diseases-related) for AF?
stroke and heart failure
what the different types of AF? 3 types
-paroxysmal AF: EPISODES STOP WITHIN 48 HOURS WITHOUT TREATMENT
-persistent AF: episodes last >7 days
-permanent AF: present all the time
what are the 2 first steps for treatment in AF?
1) RATE CONTROL
2) RHYTHM CONTROL
what is reason for rate control in AF treatment?
controls ventricular rate
what is reason for rhythm control in AF treatment?
restore and maintain sinus rhythm
what is the treatment for rhythm control in AF?
- electrical cardioversion or with pharmacological treatment (amiodarone/ flecainide
what is the preferred treatment for rhythm control and what are the additional notes for the use of a cardioversion?
-electrical preferred if >48 hours.
` due to risk of clotting have to wait until fully anticoagulated for 3 weeks before cardioversion and continue 4 weeks after
-if hemodynamically unstable =electrical cardioversion; give parenteral anticoagulant and rule out left atrial thrombus immediately before procedure
what drugs can be used as rhythm control after cardioversion if needed?
standard beta blocker
or
Sotalol, propafenone, amiodarone (can be started 4 weeks before and continued for 12 months after procedure to help success rate) of flecainide SPAF
What is THE TREATMENT FOR acute new-onset presentations for AF treatment in life threatening and non-life threatening scenarios?
-life threatening haemodynamic instability: electrical conversion
-without life threatening haemodynamic instability: <48 hours= rate and rhythm control (electrical or amiodarone/flecainide)
>48 hours=rate control (verapamil, betablocker)
what are the maintenance drugs treatment for AF?
first line= RATE CONTROL
-betablocker (not sotalol), rate limiting CCB, digoxin
second line=RHYTHM CONTROL
-beta-blocker or oral anti-arrhythmic drug (sotalol, amiodarone, flecainide, propafenone, dronedarone) (also given if rhythm control is still required post-cardioversion)
what is the treatment for paroxysmal and symptomatic AF? or they persist
-ventricular or rhythm control= standard beta blocker or oral anti-arrthmic drug
-if symptoms persist: SPAF drugs
-“PILL IN POCKET” if infrequent episodes- self treatment= flecainide or propafenone
What is the treatment for atrial flutter?
Similar treatment as AF
first line= RATE CONTROL
-betablocker (not sotalol), rate limiting CCB, digoxin
second line=RHYTHM CONTROL
-beta-blocker or oral anti-arrhythmic drug (sotalol, amiodarone, flecainide, propafenone, dronedarone) (also given if rhythm control is still required post-cardioversion)
BUT ABLATION MORE SUITABLE
What is the scoring system used for stroke prevention?
CHA2DS2VASC
what does CHA2DS2VASC stand for?
Congestive heart failure or Left ventricular dysfunction
hypertensionage 75+
diabetesstroke/TIA/venous thromboembolism history
vascular disease65-74 years
sex category