Cardiovascular Pharmacology Flashcards
In what 3 ways does the cardiovascular system increase or decrease cardiac output?
- changes heart rate
- adjusts myocardial contractility
- optimizes vascular size
What are the 3 physiological controls of cardiac function?
- pressure sensors
- sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
- renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
drugs most often exert their effect by stimulating or blunting these systems
How is the ANS able to regulate the cardiovascular system?
adjusts heart rate (β1 receptors), vascular volume (α1 and α2 receptors), and myocardial contractility
What determines intrinsic heart rate?
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
- AT REST = PSNS is dominant, resulting in a resting heart rate lower than the intrinsic heart rate
- HEART FAILURE = SNS is dominant, resulting in high resting heart rate
What does sympathetic stimulation of cardiac muscle result in? Parasympathetic stimulation?
increased force of contraction independent of muscle length (inotropy), which enhances cardiac output over the basal state
slows heart rate and increases ventricular filling time
What are the 3 functional classification schemes of cardiac disease in dogs?
- New York Heart Association (NYHA) - I, II, III, IV
- International Small Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) - Ia, Ib, II, IIIa, IIIb
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM): A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2
What digitalis glycoside is used as a positive inotrope? What 4 effects does it have on patients with failing hearts? What does it not affect?
digoxin derived from the purple foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea)
- increases myocardial contractility (inotropism)
- increases cardiac output
- increases diuresis with reduction of edema secondary to decreased sympathetic tone
- reduction in heart rate
myocardial oxygen consumption
What is the mechanism of action of digoxin? What does this cause?
inhibits the Na/K ATPase (sodium pymp) in cardiac myocytes causing an increase in intracellular Na, which augments a transmembrane exchange of Na for extracellular Ca
increased Ca stored in sarcoplasmic reticulum increases the amount of Ca released by each action potential —> inotropism
How does digoxin affect cardiac output? Vagal tone? Sympathetic activity? Parasympathetic activity?
increases contractility of both normal and failing* myocardium, but has minor effect on output
indirectly increases vagal tone by a cholinergic parasympathomimetic effect
decreases
stimulates parasympathetic activity, resulting in a negative chronotropic effect (decreased heart rate, force is more important than consistency)
What form of digoxin is best absorbed following oral administration? What follows biotransformation? How is it eliminated?
elixir > tablet
enterohepatic circulation
urinary
What are the 3 main indications for digoxin?
- CHF
- supraventricular tachyarrhythmias
- dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
What are the 5 most common clinical signs associated with digoxin?
- mild gastrointestinal upset
- inappetence
- depression
- loose stool
- vomiting
often self-limiting
What are the 2 most common sympathomimetic agents used as positive inotropes?
- Dobutamine
- Dopamine
What is the mechanism of action of Dobutamine in the cardiovascular system? What additional effect does it have?
improved cardiac performance by binding β1 myocardial receptors and uses secondary messengers to increase intercellular calcium
weak action on α-receptors
How must Dobutamine be administered? What is its major indication?
IV constant rate infusion due to its very short half-life (not meant for long term therapy)
short term inotropic in dogs and cats with acute myocardial failure emergency