Cardiovascular Drugs

Question 1

what cardiovascular drugs may be used to prevent further disease?

Answer 1

• anti platelet drugs
• lipid lowering drugs
• anticoagulants
• diuretics
• ACE inhibitors
• anti-arrhythmias

Question 2

what drugs may be used to reduce symptoms of current cardiovascular disease?

Answer 2

• diuretics
• nitrates
• calcium channel blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• anti-arrhythmics

Question 3

what are examples of anti-platelet drugs?

Answer 3

• aspirin
• clopidogrel
• dipyridamole

Question 4

how does aspirin work as an anti-platelet drug?

Answer 4

by inhibiting platelet aggregation

Question 5

how may anti-platelet drugs affect dental treatment?

Answer 5

prolonged bleeding/excess bleeding

Question 6

how do oral anticoagulants work?

Answer 6

reduce activation of the clotting cascade series which in turn reduces the amount of fibrin formed

Question 7

what are examples of oral anti-coagulant drugs?

Answer 7

• warfarin

- apixiban

Question 8

how does warfarin work as an anti-coagulant?

Answer 8

inhibits synthesis of Vitamin K dependent clotting factors

protein C, protein S and clotting factors 2, 7, 9 & 10

Question 9

what test is carried out on patients who take warfarin?

Answer 9

INR test

Question 10

what is the INR range that is safe to perform dental procedures without extra advice?

Answer 10

INR range 2-4

Question 11

what medications can a dentist NOT prescribe to a warfarin patient?

Answer 11

NSAID analgesics

Question 12

example of a statin drugs?

Answer 12

• simvastatin

Question 13

what drug interaction may occur to a patient on statins?

Answer 13

FLUCONAZOLE interaction (anti fungal treatment)

Question 14

what condition can beta blockers make worse and why?

Answer 14

• make heart failure & asthma worse
• reduce heart efficacy
• block beta receptors in lungs

Question 15

how do beta blockers work?

Answer 15

prevent increase in heart rate

• cause postural hypotension
• prevent heart arrhythmias which can lead to MI

Question 16

what are diuretics used for?

Answer 16

used to treat:

• hypertension
• heart failure

Question 17

how do diuretics function?

Answer 17

increase salt and water LOSS

Question 18

oral side effects of diuretics?

Answer 18

dry mouth in the elderly

Question 19

what are the two types of Nitrates drugs?

Answer 19

• short acting

- long acting

Question 20

what is an example of a short acting nitrate drug & what it is used for?

Answer 20

GTN spray (administered sub lingually)
- emergency management of angina pectoris

Question 21

what is the purpose of long acting nitrate drugs?

Answer 21

prevention of angina pectoris

Question 22

how do Nitrates work?

Answer 22

• dilate veins
• dilate resistance arteries
• dilate collateral coronary artery

Question 23

why are nitrates not given orally?

Answer 23

they are inactivated by first pass metabolism

Question 24

how are Nitrates administered?

Answer 24

• sublingual
• transdermal
• intravenous

Question 25

what conditions are Calcium channel blockers used to treat?

Answer 25

• hypertension

- migraines

Question 26

oral manifestations of calcium channel blockers?

Answer 26

gingival hyperplasia

Question 27

how do calcium channel blockers work to treat CV problems?

Answer 27

• block calcium channels in smooth muscle

- causes relaxation and vasodilation

Question 28

how do ACE inhibitors work?

Answer 28

• inhibit conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II

- prevents aldosterone dependent reabsorption of salt and water

Question 29

what do ACE inhibitors do to the body?

Answer 29

• reduce blood pressure

- reduce excess salt and water retention

Question 30

what are some oral reactions caused by ACE inhibitors?

Answer 30

• angio-oedema

- lichenoid reaction