Arrythmia drugs

Question 1

What are arrythmias?

Answer 1

refers to any kind of abnormal heart rhythm

Question 2

What is the most common arrhythmia?

Answer 2

Atrial fibrilation

Question 3

Disturbances where cause arrhythmias?

Answer 3

• in the pacemaker impulse formation

- in the contraction impulse conduction

Question 4

What is the result of an arrhythmia?

Answer 4

the rate or timing of contraction of heart muscle may be insufficient to maintain the normal CO

Question 5

How is the resting membrane potential maintained?

Answer 5

• the interior of the cell is negative compared to outside the cell
• caused by unequal distribution of ions inside vs outside the cell
• Na+ higher outside
• Ca2+ higher outside
• K+ higher inside
• Maintained by ion selective channels, active pumps and exchangers

Question 6

Why do arrhythmias occur?

Answer 6

• automatic or triggered activity

- re-entry due to scar or anatomy of AVN

Question 7

What is the goal of pharmacological antiarrhythmias?

Answer 7

• restore normal sinus rhythm and conduction
• prevent more serious and possibly lethal arrhythmias from occurring
• decrease conduction velocity