Cardiovascular Medications Flashcards
Pharmacokinetics
Describes the fate of the drug in the body
Clearance
Rate of elimination by all routes relative to the concentration of drug in any biological fluid
What is clearance affected by?
genetic and environmental factors, nutritional habits, weight of person, exercise, age
Pharmacodynamics
Describes the interaction of drugs with tissue receptors and the resulting pharmacological effect
Sympathomimetics (adrenergic agonists)—
mimic activity of endogenous catecholamines and dopamine
Sympatholytics (adrenergic antagonists)—
reduce the action of the sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathomimetics
cholinergic drugs that stimulate parasympathetic activity (cholinergic agonists)
Parasympatholytics
drugs that block cholinergic activity (cholinergic antagonists)
Drugs that decrease myocardial oxygen demand
Beta-blockers
Calcium-channel blockers
Nitrates
Drugs that increase myocardial oxygen supply
Thrombolytic agents
Antiplatelet agents
Anticoagulants
Calcium-channel blockers
Positive inotropes
drugs that increase myocardial contractility
Negative inotropes
drugs that decrease contractility
Stage A of HF:
At a high risk for heart failure but without structural heart disease or symptoms of HF
Drug therapy for stage A:
control risk factors
Stage B of HF:
Structural heart disease but without signs and symptoms of HF
Drug therapy for stage B:
ACE
ARB
beta-blockers as appropriate
Stage C of HF:
structural heart disease with prior or current symptoms of HF
Drug therapy for stage C:
diuretic for symptoms of congestion; control comorobities
Diuretics, ACE, ARB, beta-blockers, aldosterone
Stage D of HF:
Refractory HF requiring specialized interventions
Stage D of HF:
parenteral medications for inotropy, diuresis
NYHA functional classification I:
No limits of physical activity. Ordinary activity does not cause symptoms of HF
NYHA functional classification II:
Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity causes symptoms of HF
NYHA functional classification III:
Marked limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes symptoms of HF
NYHA functional classification IV:
Unable to carry on physical activity without symptoms of HF, or symptoms of HF at rest
