Cardiac - Arrhythmias Flashcards
what are the class I anti-arrhythmic drugs and give 4 examples.
- membrane stabilising drugs; Na+ blockers
- lidocaine
- Disopyramide
- Flecainide/Porpafenone
what are the contraindications for flecainide/propafenone? (class I)
asthma / severe COPD
avoid in heart disease
what class of drugs belong to the class II anti arrhythmics?
beta blockers e.g., propranolol
what type of drugs are class III anti arrhythmics?
give some examples
K+ channel blockers
e.g., amiodarone
sotalol
dreonedrone
how many months before and after cardioversion should amidoarone be given to increase success.
4 weeks before and 12 months after
what class III anti arrythmic has SE of hepatotoxicity and heart failure SE?
dronedarone
what class of drugs belong to the class IV anti arrythmics?
give 2 examples
which one is unlicensed use?
rate limiting calcium channel blockers
e.g., verapamil, diltiazem
diltiazem is unlicensed
what other anti arrythmic drugs are there that don’t belong to a class?
adenosine and digoxin
in what type of patient is digoxin most effective in?
sedentary patients with non-paroxysmal AF and in patients with associated congestive heart failure
what are the 2 main complications of AF?
stroke and heart failure
whats the differernce between paroxysmal AF, persistent AF and permanent AF?
- paroxysmal: episodes stop within 48hrs without treatment
- persistnet AF: episode lasts >7 days
- Permanent AF: present all the time
what are the 2 focuses of treatment in AF?
- rate control
- sinus rhythm control
what does cardioversion mean and what are the 2 ways this can be achieved?
- means to restore sinus rhythm
- either electrical (give direct current) or pharmacological by giving anti-arrhythmic
why can’t you give management for cardioversion if symptoms >48 hours?
what is the preferred method if it has been >48hrs
due to increased risk of stroke
electrical is preferred if >48hrs
how long must someone be anticoaglated for before cardioversion?
how long must this continue post cardioversion?
need to be fully anticoagulated for 3 weeks before and continue 4 weeks after
what type of cardioverson can you give if the patient is haemodynamically unstable?
electrical - give parenteral anticoagulant and rule out left atrial thrombus
if a patient presents with new onset AF - what are the differences in management it they have life threatening haemodynamic instability and do not have life threatening haemodynamic instability?
If life-threatening = electrical cardioversion
without = <48hrs = rate or rhytham control (electrical or amiodarone/flecainide)
>48hrs = rate control (verapamil, beta blocker)
what are the first line options for maintence therapy in AF?
1st line = rate control
betablockers, rate limiting CCB, digoxin
what beta blocker can you not use for rate control in AF?
sotalol