Cardiology Flashcards
What drug class is Furosemide?
Loop diuretics
How do loop diuretics work?
Inhibits Na/K/Cl co transporter in ascending limb of loop of henle
Can improve contractile function of overstretched heart muscle
What are loop diuretics indicated for?
Pulmonary oedema (alongside O2 and nitrates) Fluid overload - oedmatous conditions
What are the side effects of loop diuretics?
Dehydration/ hypotension
Hearing loss, tinnitus - inner ear co transporter affected
What are the contraindications of loop diuretics?
Hepatic encephalopathy Hypokalaemia Hyponatraemia Hypovolaemia Gout - reduced uric acid excretion
Important drug interactions of loop diuretics?
Lithium toxicity
Digoxin toxicity - due to diuretic associated hypokalaemia
What is the best time do give diuretics and why?
Morning due to nocturia problems
What drug class is Bendroflumethiazide?
Thiazide diuretics
What are Thiazides indicated for?
Alternative 1st line hypertension treatment where a calcium channel would have been used
How do Thiazide diuretics work?
Inhibits Na/K/Cl co transporter in distal convolated tubule
What are the side effects of Thiazide diuretics?
Cardiac arrhythmias (due to low sodium and potassium) Male impotence Can increase plasma glucose - diabetes type 2
What are the contraindications of Thiazide diuretics?
Hyponatraemia
Hypokalaemia
Gout
Important drug interactions of Thiazide diuretics?
Effectiveness reduced by NSAIDs (not aspirin)
Loop diuretics
What drug class is Spironolactone?
Aldosterone antagonist - potassium sparing
What are Aldosterone antagonists indicated for?
Liver cirrhosis (ascites/oedema) because of loop/thiazide diuretics Chronic heart failure
How do Aldosterone antagonists work?
Competitively bind to aldosterone receptor, increasing sodium and water excretion; potassium retention
What are the side effects of Aldosterone antagonists?
Hyperkalaemia
Gynaecomastia
Steven Johnson syndrome
Liver impairment
What are the contraindications of Aldosterone antagonists?
Severe renal impairment
Hyperkalaemia
Addison’s disease (aldosterone deficient)
Pregnant or lactating women
Important drug interactions of Aldosterone antagonists?
Other potassium elevating drugs - ACEi and ARBs
Give an example of a potassium sparing diuretic that isn’t spironalactone?
Amiloride
What drug class is Atenolol?
Beta Blocker
What are Beta Blockers indicated for?
Ischaemic Heart Disease
Chronic Heart failure
AF, SVT
Hypertension
How do Beta Blockers work?
Beta blockers via B1 receptor reduce heart contraction and conduction speed
Prolong refractory period of AV node - slow ventricular rate in AF
Reduce renin from kidneys
What are the side effects of Beta Blockers?
Fatigue
Cold extremities
Headache
GI disturbance
What are the contraindications of Beta Blockers?
Asthma - life threatening brochospasm Slowly increase dose in heart failure Haemodynamic instability Heart block Hepatic failure
Important drug interactions of Beta Blockers?
Calcium channel blockers- can cause heart failure, bradycardia
What drug class is Diltiazem?
Calcium channel blocker
What are Calcium channel blockers indicated for?
Hypertension
Stable angina symptom control
Supraventricular arryhthmias
How do Calcium channel Blockers work?
Decrease calcium entry into vascular and cardiac cells
Relaxation and vasodilation in arterial smooth muscle
Suppress cardiac conduction
What Calcium channel blockers are used cardiac purposes?
Diltiazem, Verapamil
What Calcium channel blockers are used vascular purposes?
Amlodipine, nifedipine, Diltiazem (has both functions)
What are the side effects of cardiac Calcium channel Blockers?
Bradycardia
Cardiac failure
Heart block
What are the side effects of vascular Calcium channel Blockers?
Ankle swelling
Flushing
Headache
Palpitations
What are the contraindications of Calcium channel Blockers?
Cardiac -Poor left ventricular function -AV nodal conduction delay Vascular -Unstable angina - drug can make it worse -Severe aortic stenosis
Important drug interactions of Calcium channel Blockers?
Not with B blockers
What drug class is Ramipril?
ACEi
What are ACEi indicated for?
Hypertension Chronic Heart failure Ischaemic Heart disease Diabetic nephropathy CKD
How do ACEi work?
Prevent conversion of angiotensin 1 to 2 Vasoconstrictor Stimulates aldosterone secretion Reduces proteinuria Reduces progression of nephropathy
What are the side effects of ACEi?
Hypotension (problem after 1st dose) Persistent dry cough Hyperkalaemia Renal failure Angioedema Anaphylaxis
What are the contraindications of ACEi?
Renal Artery stenosis AKI Pregnant Breastfeeding CKD
Important drug interactions of ACEi?
Potassium elevating drugs
NSAID + ACEi = increased risk of renal failure
If dry cough is a problem what is an alternative drug?
Losartan - ARBs
What drug class is Isosorbide Mononitrate?
Nitrates
Name a short acting nitrate.
Glyceryl Nitrate (GTN)
Name a long acting nitrate.
Isosorbide Mononitrate
What are Nitrates indicated for?
Short acting -Acute angina -ACS Long acting -Prophylaxis of angina IV -Pulmonary oedema (in combination with furosemide and oxygen)
How do Nitrates work?
Converted to NO (nitric oxide)
Increases cGMP synthesis
Reduces calcium in vascular smooth cells - causes relaxation
Reduced preload, reduced cardiac work and myocardial oxygen demand
What are the side effects of Nitrates?
Flushing
Headaches
Light-headedness
Hypotension
What are the contraindications of Nitrates?
Severe Aortic Stenosis
Haemodynamic instability (unstable blood pressure)
Hypotension
Important drug interactions of Nitrates?
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors - prolong hypotensive effect
What drug class is Digoxin?
Cardiac Glycosides
What are Cardiac Glycosides indicated for?
Atrial fibrillation and flutter (3rd line)
Severe heart failure (3rd line)
How do Cardiac Glycosides work?
Negative chronotropy (rate) Positive inotropy (force) Heart failure - increases calcium in myocytes for contraction
What are the side effects of Cardiac Glycosides?
Bradycardia GI disturbance Rash Dizziness Visual disturbance
What are the contraindications of Cardiac Glycosides?
Heart block
Patients at risk of ventricular arrhythmias
Dose reduced in renal failure
Low potassium and magnesium and high calcium all cause digoxin toxicity
Important drug interactions of Cardiac Glycosides?
Loop and thiazide diuretics increase risk
Amiodarone, calcium channel and spirnolactone increase plasma conc of digoxin
What drug class is Amiodarone?
Anti-dysrhythmics
What are Anti-dysrhythmics indicated for?
Tachyarrhythmias (all)
when drugs and electrical cardioversion aren’t effective
How do Anti-dysrhythmics work?
Blockade of sodium, calcium and potassium channels
Antagonism of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
What are the side effects of Anti-dysrhythmics?
Hypotension Pneumonitis Bradycardia AV block Hepatitis Skin photosensitivity Skin grey discolouration
What are the contraindications of Anti-dysrhythmics?
Severe hypotension
Heart block
Active thyroid disease
Important drug interactions of Anti-dysrhythmics?
Too Many to know
What drug class is Aspirin?
NSAID (Antiplatelet)
What is Aspirin indicated for?
ACS, stroke
Prevention of arterial, cerebro and cardio vascular disease
Reduce risk of thrombus in AF
Mild to moderate pain and fever
How does Aspirin work?
Irreversibly inhibits COX
Reduces production of thromboxane
Reduces platelet aggregation
Occurs at low doses - antiplatelet effect
What are the side effects of Aspirin?
GI irritation, ulceration, haemorrhage
Hypersensitivity - bronchospasm
High dose aspirin - tinnitus
What are the contraindications of Aspirin?
Children under 16 - Reye’s syndrome risk
Aspirin hypersensitivity
Third trimester pregnancy
Important drug interactions of Aspirin?
Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants
What drug class is Clopidogrel?
Antiplatelet
What is Clopidogrel indicated for?
ACS
Prevent occlusion of coronary artery stents
Long term prevention of arterial, cerebro and cardio vascular disease
Reduce risk of thrombus with AF
How does Clopidogrel work?
Clopidogrel prevents platelet aggregation
Binds irreversibly to ADP receptors on platelets - reduces risk of arterial occlusion
What are the side effects of Clopidogrel?
Bleeding
GI upset
Thrombocytopenia (rarely)
What are the contraindications of Clopidogrel?
Active bleeding
Elective surgery
Renal impairment
Hepatic impairment
Important drug interactions of Clopidogrel?
Pro drug which required P450 metabolism to activate
Inhibitors may reduce its effect while inducers of P450 may increase it
Antiplatelets and anticoagulants - bleeding
What drug class is Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) and give an example?
Thrombolytic,
Alteplase
What is t-PA indicated for?
Stroke
STEMI
Massive PE
Where a thrombus is formed
How does t-PA work?
Promotes thrombolysis
Converts plasminogen to plasmin
Initiates fibrinolysis
Recanalises occluded vessels
What are the side effects of t-PA?
Bleeding
Injection site reaction
Thromocytopenia
What are the contraindications of t-PA?
Clotting disorders Haemodynamic instability Recent surgery Trauma Renal impairment
Important drug interactions of t-PA?
Antithrombotics due to bleeding
What drug class is Enoxaparin?
Heparin
What is Heparin indicated for?
Venous thromboembolism:
-DVT
-PE
ACS - LMWH or fondaparinux
How do Heparins work?
Unfractionated: -activates antithrombin -inhibits factor Xa -inhibits thrombin Low Molecular Weight: -Preferentially inhibit factor Xa
What are the side effects of Heparins?
Bleeding
What are the contraindications of Heparins?
Clotting disorders Severe uncontrolled hypertension Recent surgery/trauma Invasive procedures - Lumbar Puncture Renal impairment
Important drug interactions of Heparins?
Antiplatelets, antithrombin drugs
Which Heparin is suitable for people who don’t eat pork?
Fondapurinux
What drug class is Warfarin?
Oral Anticoagulant
What is Warfarin indicated for?
Prevent clot extension
Prevent recurrence of DVT and PE
Prevent embolic complications in atrial fibrillation
How does Warfarin work?
Inhibits hepatic production of Vitamin K dependent coagulation factors and cofactors
Inhibits Vit K epoxide reductase
Prevents reactivation of Vit K and coagulation factor synthesis
What are the side effects of Warfarin?
Bleeding
What are the contraindications of Warfarin?
Immediate risk of haemorrhage
Liver disease
Pregnancy - causes foetal malformations
Important drug interactions of Warfarin?
P450 inhibitors decrease warfarin metabolism and
increase bleeding risk
Clotting risk is increased with P450 inducers
What drug class is Rivaroxaban?
Novel Anticogulants
What is Rivaroxaban indicated for?
DVT, PE - VTE
Prevention of cerebro and cardiovascular events
How does Rivaroxaban work?
Direct inhibitor of Factor Xa
What are the side effects of Rivaroxaban?
Bleeding
What are the contraindications of Rivaroxaban?
Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Hepatic Impairment
Renal impairment
Important drug interactions of Rivaroxaban?
Antiplatelets and anticoagulants - bleeding
What drug class is Simvastatin?
Statins
What are Statins indicated for?
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with Q risk above 20%
Secondary prevention
Primary hyperlipidaemia
How do Statins work?
Inhibit HMG CoA reductase
Decreases cholesterol production
Increases clearance of LDL
What are the side effects of Statins?
Headache GI disturbance Aches Myopathy Rhabdomyolysis Can raise liver enzymes
What are the contraindications of Statins?
Hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Important drug interactions of Statins?
P450 inhibitors lead to accumulation of statins - extra risk of myopathy
Amiodarone increase risk of rhabdomyolysis
Amlodipine has a similar effect
When is best to take Statins?
At night