Cardiovascular drugs Flashcards
Drugs which reduce ventricular dimension
Nitrovasodilators e.g. glyceryl nitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, amyl nitrate.
These relax smooth muscle and preferentially affect veins. Leads to increase in venous capacitance with small falls in arteriolar resistance. This reduces the heart size
Drugs given to reduce arterial pressure
Ca2+ channel blockers: Nifedipine, Diltiazem, Verapamil
Work by reducing Ca2+ influx through VG-Ca2+ channels in peripheral vasculature. Leads to relaxation of resistance vessels and a fall in TPR.
Heart has to pump against a lower pressure so the work of the heart is reduced.
Ca2+ channel antagonists also prevent calcium entry in coronary vessels and may prevent vaso-spasm
Drugs given to reduce heart rate
Beta blockers - slow the heart rate and attenuate increase in heart rate in respone to exercise and stress
Ivabradine - slows the heart by inhibiting If ion channels in the SA node but does not affect contractility of ventricles. Used in patients intolerant of beta blockers
Ca2+ channel blockers - slow the heart rate by reducing Ca2+ entry into pacemaker cells.
Name three inotropic drugs
Adrenaline / Noradrenaline: Directly stimulates ß1-adrenergic receptors
Sympathomimetics (e.g. Dobutamine): Directly stimulates ß1-adrenergic receptors
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g. Milrinone): Inhibit breakdown of cAMP, increasing intracellular cAMP levels Also cause vasodilation of peripheral arterioles
Digoxin: Inhibits Na+-K+ ATPase, reducing removal of Ca2+ from cell by Na+/Ca+ exchanger, increasing Ca2+ storage in sarcoplasmic reticulum. On the next contraction there is increased Ca2+ released into cell from SR.
Management of stable angina
Acute attacks - GTN
Long term -
First line: beta blocker or calcium channel blocker
If not tolerated: Long acting nitrate, ivabradine, nicorandil, ranolazine
Treatment for unstable angina
Antiplatelt treatment asap. Aspirin (clopidogrel 2nd line)
Antithrombin treatment: Heparin or direct thrombin inhibitor
Nitrates
Oxygen if evidence of hypoxia
Treatment of a patient with NSTEMI
Pain relief: morphine, anti-emetic
Aspirin: to reduce risk of further clot formation
Rapid transfer to hospital - treat as MI
Treatment immediately following MI
Rapid admission to coronary care unit
Early clot-busting treatment (PTCA, thrombolysis)
Aspirin (anti-platelet)
Beta blockers
Prevent thrombo-embolism
Treatment for acute heart failure
Morphine IV
Oxygen
Nitrates (IV GTN)
Inotropes (dolbutamine, milrinone)
Diuretics (furosemide)
Nice guidelines for the mangement of HF
HF with preserved ejection fraction - manage comorbidites e.g. high bp, heart disease, diabetes
HF with ventricular dysfunction: Offer ACEi and beta-blockers. If symptoms persist add aldosterone antagonist, hydralazine with nitrates. If symtoms persist consider digoxin.
Name four broad classes of drugs used in the treatment of heart failure
Vasodilator drugs
Positive inotropes
Beta blockers
ACE inhibitors/ARBs
Aldosterone antagonists
Diuretics
Drug interventions to prevent recurrent MI
anti-platelet treatment - prevent clotting (Clopidogrel/Aspirin or warfarin)
ACE-inhibitors/ARBs - reduce fluid retention
Beta blockers - reduce heart rate, reduce blood pressure
Statins - reduce cholesterol
Lifestyle interventions: Diet, weight reduction, stop smoking
Main groups of drugs used to lower blood pressure
- Diuretics
- Beta-adrenoceptor blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers
- Alpha-adrenoceptor blockers
- Direct renin inhibitors
Name 3 clot-busting drugs
Streptokinase
urokinase
tPA
reteplase
beta-blockers mechanism of action
reduce exercise-induced rise in heart rate and recides cardiac contractlily.
This resudes systolic BP and myocardial O2 demand
Side effects of beta blockers
Bronchospasm
Bradycardia and hypotension
Hyperkalemia
Sexual dysfunction (males)
Heart block
Cold peripheries (acts of b3Rs)
Name 4 beta blockers
Atenalol
Propanlol
Bisoprolol
Labetalol
Sotalol
Use of beta blockers in hypertension
Atenolol: cardioselective (b1)
Propanolol: non-selective (b1,b2)
Decrease cardiac output and prevent fatal arrhythmias, heart attack and stroke. Also blocks adrenal system (sympathetic innervation direct to adrenal gland)
Why are beta blockers used in heart failure
Bisoprolol, carvedilol
Beta blockers reduce the contractility of the heart and reduce heart rate by blocking the sympathic nervous system. This redues the work of the heart which is benefical in heart failure.
Not to be used in acute HF.
Side effects: bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm, impotence
Indications for beta-blockers
Angina
Arrythmias
Hypertension
heart failure (bisoprolol, carvedilol)
Prophylaxis post-MI
Migraine prophylaxis
Thyrotoxicosis
Anxiety
Classification of blood pressure in adults
Normal: 120-140 systolic, 80-90 diastolic
Mild: 140-150 systolic, 90-100 diastolic
Moderate: 160-180 systolic, 100-110 diastolic
Severe: >180 systolic, >120 diastolic
Use of beta-blockers as anti-arrythmics
Attenuate effect of sympathetic system. Can be used with digoxin to control ventricular response in AF.
Also used in management of SVT
Esmolol
Sotalol
Cardioselective beta-blockers
Atenolol
Bisoprolol
Nebivolol
Reduced bronchospasm with these drugs
Mechanism of nitrovasodilators
Broken down or metabolised to nitric oxide in endothelial cells. This activates guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle to cause an increase in cGMP, reducing [Ca}i and causing vascular relaxation.
Administration or nitrates in angia
GTN: given sublingually, when swallowed undergoes extensive first pass metabolism in the liver and is inactive. When sucked it is rapidly absorbed in the buccal mucosa into the systemic circulation. Action within 1-2mins that lasts for 15-20mins
Isosorbide mononitrate: sublingual or oral. Isosorbide DI-nitrate is converted to mononitrate in the liver by first pass metabolism. Long acting drugs that last for several hours. Some patients may develop tolerance rapidly