Cardiovascular system Flashcards
Why do we tell patients to change sites of tinzaparin injections?
Risk of lipodystrophy - drug can accumulate and not absorb properly.
Why are platelets checked with heparins?
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia - low platelet count.
Monitoring parameters for tinzaparin and Co
U&Es, especially K, platelets
Which class of beta-blockers can cause sleep disturbances and nightmares and why?
Lipid-soluble - able to cross BBB
Which enzyme do Statins inhibit?
HMG-CoA reductase
What to do if you forgot take a Warfarin dose?
Remember before midnight - take it. If not - take the next one as usual, and let the GP/INR clinic know.
Foods to avoid on Warfarin
Grapefruit and cranberry juice, mango
What is Torsades des Pointes?
Type of ventricular tachycardia that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Associated with long QT
What are the two main ways (two types of control) to manage arrhythmia?
Rate control (ventricular rate) and Rhythm control (restore and maintain sinus rhythm)
Is rate or rhythm control a generally preferred first line for AF?
Rate control
Which type of control is preferred in onset of AF >48hrs or unknown?
Rate control
When is Digoxin preferred in AF management?
If AF is accompanied by congestive heart failure.
Rate-control medication examples
B-blockers, verapamil, diltiazem, digoxin
Rhythm-control medication examples
Sotalol, Amiodarone, flecainide acetate, dronedarone
Which is the first line rhythm-control medication?
Amiodarone
What else is needed as part of general AF management, apart from rhythm & rate control?
Stroke prevention - anticoagulation
Which medications are used in atrial flutter?
IV B-blockers, verapamil &diltiazem, digoxin
Which medications are used to manage torsades de pointes?
IV magnesium sulphate, b-blockers.
Name classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs (1-4) and examples
Class 1: membrane stabilising drugs - Lidocaine, flecainide
Class 2: Beta-blockers
Class 3: Amiodarone, Sotalol
Class 4: Verapamil, Diltiazem
Drug of choice in acute supraventricular arrhythmia?
IV Adenosine
In which case is digoxin and verapamil contraindicated?
In supraventricular arrhythmia associated with conductive pathways issues (WPW syndrome)
Which class of AF medication does verapamil interact and what is the nature of interaction?
B-blockers - increased risk of severe hypotention and bradycardia - AVOID
What kind of half-life does amiodarone have?
Very long half-life (weeks)
Which parameters do we monitor with Amiodarone?
LFTs, Thyroid Function, Pulmonary toxicity, Eyesight (corneal microdeposition), ECG on IV
Why does amiodarone affect thyroid gland?
It contains iodine
Advice for patients on amiodarone regarding photosensitivity
Protect skin from light during and several months after discontinuation
Does the QT prolongation in someone on Amiodarone indicate toxicity?
No
What checks do we need to do before Amiodarone initiation?
Potassium, ECG, Chest X-ray, LFTs, thyroid function
Which LFT in particular do we monitor for Amiodarone liver toxicity?
Transaminases
Which drugs are contraindicated with Amiodarone due to the risk of torsades de pointes?
Sotalol, Co-trimoxazole, Erythromycin, Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Amisulpride, Amitriptyline, Anti-malarials
Which drugs should be avoided or initiated under close supervision together with Amiodarone?
QT prolongators
Which AF management drugs should be avoided with Amiodarone?
B-blockers, diltiazem, verapamil