Cardiac Glycosides

Question 1

Action of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 1

Positive Inotrope & Peripheral Vasoconstriction

Question 2

Mechanism of Action of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 2

Inhibiting Na+/K+ ATPase pump =

Increasing intracellular Na+, decreasing the Ca+ pumped out and in turn the intracellular Ca+ = Increased contraction

Direct affect in a-adrenoreceptors = vasoconstriction and increased peripheral resistance

Question 3

Administration of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 3

Oral

Question 4

Indications of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 4

Heart Failure

Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Question 5

Contraindications of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 5

Heart Block

Hypokalaemia associated with use of diuretics

Question 6

Side Effects of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 6

Arrhythmias
Anorexia
Nausea & Vomiting
Visual Disturbances
Abdominal Pain and Diarrhoea

Question 7

A Dangerous Drug Interaction of Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 7

Glycosides + Loop Diuretics = Potassium Loss Arrhythmias

Question 8

Cardiac Glycosides

Answer 8

Digoxin and Digitoxin

Question 9

Cardiac Glycosides in CCF

Answer 9

Improve symptoms but do not improve outcome