Cardio: Calcium Channel Blockers Flashcards
What kind of channel is the L-type, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel?
Voltage-gated
True or false: all L-type channels are found in the heart.
False. There are L-type dihydropyridine receptors in smooth muscle.
The dihydropyridine channels end in the __________ suffix.
-dipine
Which drug is mostly non-dihydropyridine but has some vasodilatory effects?
Diltiazem (so the Dark Chocolate Diltiazem is in the middle, between Very Vanilla Verapamil and the Dairy Berry Dihydropyridines)
What two effects do the non-dihydropyridine blockers have?
Decreased contractility and heart rate
This is represented by the weak kid –who can’t pull down the lever and has a dangling watch.
Which kind of calcium channel blocker is used in hypertensive emergencies?
The dihydropyridines, specifically nicardipine and clavidipine
What is one common use of dihydropyridine blockers?
Control of hypertension in pregnant women, because they have been shown to be safe.
(Think of the pregnant woman cutting an apple for the DIPpIN’ station with a large knife –the knife represents nifedipine.)
Beta blockers and ___________ should be first-line in the treatment of angina, but calcium channel blockers can be used if those don’t work or aren’t tolerated.
nitrates
How do the dihydropyridines treat angina?
They decrease afterload and thus decrease oxygen demand. (Think of the older woman throwing off her oxygen cannula AFTER finishing her LOAD of soft serve.)
What disorder is symbolized by the fingerless gloves?
Raynaud’s; the dihydropyridines can be used to treat Raynaud’s, so the man with the fingerless gloves is holding some of the DIPpIN’ toppings.
Nimodipine is administered to all patients with ______________, preferably within four days of the event.
subarachnoid hemorrhage
(Think of the guy with the berries on his brain-like ice cream –symbolizing berry aneurysm –next to the “Need MOre DIPpIN’?” sign.)
Though there isn’t much research on this, verapamil is often the first choice for prevention of ______________.
migraines (Think of the referee hitting the migraine bell on the contest table.)
What are possible side effects of the dihydropyridines?
Lightheadedness and peripheral edema (Think of the overwhelmed patron next to the DIPpIN’ station: he’s dizzy and has baggy pants.)
What do you need to keep in mind when prescribing nifedipine?
It has an extremely short half-life, so it acts quick and can cause reflex tachycardia. This will worsen angina, represented by the pregnant woman using the large knife to cut into the apple-shaped heart.
What is the main side effect of verapamil?
Constipation
Think of the janitor with the plumber next to the vanilla dispenser.
