Cardiac Flashcards
angina
- episodes of chest pain - can progress to MI
- myocardial oxygen supply vs demand
- atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries
- angina, variant angina (spasms of coronary artery - at rest) and unstable angina (comes from advanced CAD)
- signs of angina with women are different - fatigue, SOB
nitroglycerin (NTG) (Nitro-BID, Nitrostat, Nitro-dur)
isosobide (Isobid, Isordil, Imdur)
(nitrates)
- relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessels, vasodilate
- decreases preload (amt/volume dumped in right atrium and stretch in right atrium)
(—and afterload is the resistance felt when the heart tries to pump blood out of left ventricle) - fight line defense in prevention and treatment
- use: acute attacks, chronic angina
- adverse: HA, hypotension, dizziness, N/v, flushing, tachycardia
nitroglycerine
- po sublingual
- topical gel (in hospital)
- sprays underneath tongue
- patches - 24 hours
- IV
isordil - long term
imdur - immediate and sustained release (commonly used)
nitrates
- sl, po, IV
- interactions: alcohol, beta blockers and erectile dysfunction drugs
- may take 3 NTG pills, 5 mins apart, if no relief call EMS
Nursing Implications for nitrates
- assess pain, monitor BP/HR
- wear gloves with ointment, patches
- patches: on for 12 hours, off for 12 hours
- SL tabs must fizzle or burn
- sit/lie down
- spray NTG - on or under tongue
- avoid smoking
- pills must be stored in original container
atenolol (Tenormin)
metoprolol (Lopressor)
(beta blockers)
- block beta 1 and/or 2
- use: angina, MI, HTN, dysrhythmias
- used for chronic stable angina - not attack
- drugs given to all patients post MI unless strongly contraindicated
agents to lower lipids
- abnormally elevated serum lipid and triglycerides
- total serum cholesterol < 200 mg/dl
- –LDL > 100
- –HDL high > 60, Low < 40
- –triglycerides < 150
- high cholesterol linked to arteriosclerosis, HTN, CAD, PVD, and MI
- first line treatment = diet and exercise
colestipol (Colestid)
cholestyramine (Questran)
(bile acid sequestrants)
- inhibit or increase excretion of bile acid in GI tract
- adverse: constipation, bloating, flatulence, nausea
- precautions: patients with bile obstructive disease
Nursing:
- monitor serum cholesterol
- take before meals
- high fiber foods
- power mixed with foods/fluid
- watch for bleeding
atorvastatin (Lipitor)
simvastatin (Zocor)
(HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
- blocks synthesis of cholesterol in liver
- may increase or maintain HDL
- adverse: constipation, abdominal distention, belching
- caution: liver failure
Nursing Implications for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
- give at night
- watch serum levels
- do not become pregnant
- monitor liver function tests
- change diet, exercise
- restrict alcohol and stop smoking
- report muscle pain
gemfibrozil (Lopid)
(fibric acid derivative)
- reduce plasma triglycerides in increasing enzyme lipoprotein lipase
- short term use
- use with patients with hyperlipidemia who fail diet
- adverse: abd pain, diarrhea, fatigue, HA
Nursing Implications for fibric acid derivatives
Contraindicated - renal/liver/gall bladder disease
Nursing:
- monitor triglyceride levels and liver function tests
- monitor for signs of gall stones
- need extra fiber and fluid
ezetimbe (Zetia)
(cholesterol absorption inhibitors)
- acts in small intestine
- Zetia used for people who are intolerant to other therapies
- –sometimes also used in conjunction with statins
Heart failure symptoms
dyspnea fatigue ankle edema JVD pulmonary edema
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
capatopil (Capoten)
(angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors)
- inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
- use: heart failure, HTN
- adverse: severe hypotension, renal tubular damage, cough
- caution: renal disorder, do not take if pregnant
- ACE inhibitor is a cardioprotective drug - ventricular remodeling after MI
- common for diabetics
- protective of kidneys when there’s no renal failure - otherwise it’s more detrimental
Adverse and Nursing Implications for ACE inhibitors
Adverse:
- angioedema - strong vascular reaction involving inflammed submucosal tissue
Nursing:
- monitor K
- monitor BP, weight, I&O
- risk of rebound hypertension with abrupt stop
- watch NSAIDs w ace inhibitors
losartan (Cozaar)
valsartan (Diovan)
(angiotensin II receptor blockers [ARBS])
- complete with angiotensin II for tissue binding sites
- use: HTN, heart failure
- adverse: severe hypotension, less cough
- caution: liver failure, do not take if pregnant
- nursing: monitor BP, weight
nesiritide (Natrecor)
(B-type natriuretic peptides)
- increase cardiac output, stroke volume and contractility without significantly altering HR or BP
- use: acute heart failure
- given IV
- adverse: severe hypotension, dysrhythmias.
- monitor BNP (brain natriuretic peptide), gives in ICU only
BNP - shows how hard the heart is working - higher the #, the harder its working
milrinone (Primacor)
inamrinone (Inocor)
(phosphodiesterase inhibitor)
- inhibit action phosphodiesterase enzyme
- use: short term treatment acute heart failure
- adverse: severe hypotension, thrombocytopenia (inamrinone), dysrhytmia (milrinone)
- ICU care only, use only after other treatments fail