Cardiovascular drugs 1 Flashcards
How is atrial fibrillation characterised on ECG
Irregularly irregular, no p waves, absence of isoelectric baseline, variable ventricular rate
What is the pathophysiology of A fib
- Chaotic atrial electrical activity
- Fibrosis and loss of atrial muscle mass related to: ageing, chamber dilatation (due to HTN, valve disease), inflammation, genetic
Give 5 risk factors for A fib
- HTN
- Valvular heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart disease
- Previous cardiac surgery
- Pericarditis
- Lung disease- PE, pneumonia, COPD
- Hyperthyroidism (always do TFTs if patient presents with AFib)
- Alcohol
Outline the classification of A fib
Lone AF
- usually younger patient, no established cause
Paroxysmal (<7 days)
Persistent (>7 days)
Permanent (>7 days +/- cardioversion)
What are the clinical features of AFib?
- Asymptomatic
- Palpitations
- SOB
- Chest pain
- Syncope
- Pre syncope
- Heart failure
What are the categories of treatment options for AFib?
- Rate control
- Rhythm control
- Anticoagulation
How would you treat recent onset AF in
a) compromised patient
b) not compromised patient
a) DC shock
b) Pharmacotherapy
How would you treat recent onset AF of
a) <48hr duration
b) >48hr duration
How do you determine this?
Symptoms onset will help pinpoint exactly when it started
a) Attempt rhythm control
b) Rate control- after 48hrs the risk of thromboembolism increases significantly
When is rhythm control preferred?
- For symptom improvement
- In younger patients
- HF related to AF
- Adequacy of rate control
How do you rate control in acute AF without HF?
Beta blocker or CCB (Diltiazem, Verapamil)
2nd line: add digoxin
How do you rate control in acute AF with HF?
Digoxin, Amiodarone
2nd line: amiodarone
How do you rate control in permanent AF or paroxysmal AF?
Beta blocker or CCB
2nd line: add digoxin
What complication can occur when using the rate control drugs in combination?
Beta blocker + CCB can lead to heart bloc
- although not completely contraindicated
- may be of use in young patient
For the the following indications provide the rhythm control drug
a) Acute cardioversion, normal heart
b) Acute cardioversion, abnormal heart
c) Maintain sinus rhythm, normal heart
d) Maintain sinus rhythm, abnormal heart
a) Flecainide, sotalol (non selective)
b) Amiodarone
c) Flecainide, sotalol
d) Amiodarone
Outline the mechanism of action of beta blockers
- B1/B2 adrenergic blockade therefore blockinf the effects of adrenaline/NA at B1 receptor
- Slows down contractility og the heart by inhibting cAMP formation, such that PK-A is not activated. The L type calcium channel is not phosphorylated and therefore there is not an influx of Ca
Give an example of a
a) Non cardioselective beta blocker
b) Cardioselective beta blocker
c) Vasodilatory beta blockers
a) Propanolol, carvedilol, sotalol
b) Atenolol (>90% renal clearance), bisoprolol, esmolol, metoprolol (liver clearance), nebivolol
c) Labetalol, carvedilol