CPT1: Dysrhythmias 2 Flashcards
What is the basis of how anti-arrhythmic drugs work?
They act by altering ion fluxes within excitable tissues in the myocardium
What are the 3 main ion channels of importance?
Na+, Ca2+, K+
What are anti-arrhthmic drugs classed upon
Their ability to either directly or indirectly block the movement of ions across the membrane of excitable cardiac tissue
- 4 major classes depending on their electophysiological mechanisms of action. Have effects on different phases of action potentials
May be classed clinically into those which act primarily on:
- Supraventricular arrhythmias (e.g. verapamil)
- Both Supraventricular and Ventricular (e.g. disopyramide)
- Ventricular arrhythmias (e.g. Lignocaine)
Describe conduction through purkinje/ Ventricular myocytes
- Phase 0: Depolarization. Influx of Na+ ions through fast acting voltage Na+ channels
- Phase 1: Rapid repolarization. Outflow of K+ ions (triggered by change in polarity)
- Phase 2: Plateau as influx of K+ is electrically balanced with influx of Ca2+ through slowly inactivatin L-type Ca2+ channels which proceeds contractio
- Phase 3: Repolarisation: Eflux of K+ and reduced influx of Ca+ caused by activation of Na+/K+ ATPase
- Phase 4: Membrane potenital restored. Prepotential Na+ influx
Describe conduction through the SA node
- Phase 4: Prepostpotenital. Unstable resting membrane potential - climbs back towards threshold. This is due to alteration in K+ outflow current in relation to background current
- Phase 0: Slow upstroke. No functional Na channels therefore depolarisation due to slowly activating Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ influx
- Phase 3: Repolarisation. Opening of K+ channels and eflux of K+
Complete the table
Describe Class I
- Block Na+ Channels
- Class I is split into 3 subgroups: IA, IB, IC
- Subgroups dependent on effect on repolarisation (Phase 4) and potency towards blocking sodium channels (phase 0)
Describe Class A and give an example of a drug
- High potency for blocking Na+ channels (Prolong QT interval) and usually prolong repolarisation (QRS) interval through blockage of K+ Channels
- Quinidine
Describe IB class and give an example
- IB drugs = lowest potency as Na+ blockers, produce little if any change in action potential duration (no effect on QRS interval) in normal tissue, and shorten repolarization (decrease QT interval)
- lignocaine
Describe Class C drugs and give an example
- IC = most potent Na+ blocking agents (prolong QRS interval), and have little effect on repolarization (no effect on QT interval)
- flecainide
Describe class II and its uses
- B-Blockers
- Act directly or indirectly on electrophysiological parameters by blocking B-adrenergic receptors (slow sinus rhythm, prolong PR interval, no effect on QRS interval or QT interval)
- Used for arrhythmia origining from sympathetic output/ circulating catecholamines
- Valuable in SA/AV node arrhythmias induced by stress/ anxiety/ exercise
Describe Class III and an example of a drug
- Prolong AP
- drugs prolong repolarization (increase refractoriness) by blocking outward potassium conductance (prolong QT interval), with typically little effect on the rate of depolarization (no effect on QRS interval)•E.g. Amiodarone But can also cause Na+ channel blockade
Describe Class IV and examples
- Calcium Channel blockers
- drugs are relatively selective AV nodal L-type calcium-channel blockers (slow sinus rhythm, prolong PR interval, no effect on QRS interval)
- •E.g. verapamil, diltiazem
What are examples of drugs which do and dont follow this classification system
•NB Some drugs (e.g. nifedipine) have no place in this classification, while others have properties in more than one class (e.g. Amiodarone)
- What is the most common arrhymia?
- What increases risk?
- If left untreated it could result in>?
- Atrial Fibrillation
- More common with increasing age
- Stroke, dementia, Heart failure