CVPR 03-28-14 10-11am Inotropic Agents in CHF slides - Port Flashcards
Dogma of Positive Inotropic Agents
Positive Inotropy = Increased effect [Ca2+]
Positive Inotropic Agents
Cardiac glycosides, Beta receptor agonists, Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, Ca2+ sensitizing agents
Adrenergic system in HF & Beta-adrenergic blockers
Pts w/HF have increased adrenergic drive as manifest by high concentrations of circulating catecholamines, esp. NE (norepinephrine)…for this reason, beta blockers are used
Beta-adrenergic blockers – action
Competitively block endogenous catecholamines (e.g., NE) from interacting w/Beta-adrengeric receptors —> 1. Reduce metabolic demands associated with increased HR and myocardial contractility….. 2. Prevent the direct toxic effects that high amounts of catecholamines have on cardiomyocytes….. 3. Prevent norepi-induced beta-receptor down-regulation and/or desensitization, possibly allowing receptor density to return towards normal abundances so pt can regain sensitivity to endogenous catecholamines and/or therapeutic beta-agonists
Negative inotropic potential of Beta-blockers
Previously, beta-blockers were contraindicated in HF b/c of their prominent negative inotropic potential; still true for 1st gen. beta-blockers like propranolol…However, newer generations (2nd & 3rd) w/out significant negative inotropic effects now exist, and have proven highly useful in treatment of HF (current “gold standard” therapy).
Beta blockers approved in HF
Metoprolol & carvedilol, in both generic “standard” formulations and “branded” extended release formulations (once a day) of each drug (Toprol XL & Coreg CR, respectively)….both have been shown to dramatically improve the symptoms of HF
Metoprolol vs. Carvedilol targets
Metoprolol is a Beta-1-AR selective agent…..Carvedilol is a relatively nonselective inhibitor of both B1- and B2-ARs, as well as alpha-1-AR (—> vasodilatory effects)
Beta-blockers in HF- Effects
Increase CO, EF, and submaximal exercise tolerance…..Reduce pulmonary artery & LV end-diastolic pressure —> change in cardiac dimension (esp. reduction in left ventricular and diastolic volume)…..Prolonged survival in pts w/NHYA Class II-IV HF (though perhaps not Class IV w/very limited cardiac function —> unable to up-titrate dose of beta-blocker necessary to achieve effects)
Caveats of Beta-blocker use in HF
HF pts have limited cardiac reserve, so dose of beta-blocker must be carefully “up-titrated” over several weeks to achieve target dose…..many pts are unable to ever reached target dose (likely b/c of necessity of intensive clinical management during the up-titration phase, as well as the fact that beta-blockers often make people feel worse 1st, before they feel better) = non-responders (measured by EF)
Speed of effect of Beta-Blockers
Act rapidly at their target site (Beta-AR), but salutary effects often take months (3-12) to manifest, due to the fact that beta-blocker-mediated improvements are secondary to cardiac (reverse) remodeling (reducing cardiac ventricular dimension —> smaller, less dilated heart that is more metabolically & mechanically efficient)
Current medical therapy of HF includes…
…diuretics, ACE-I/ARBs + newer gen. beta-blockers = thus, complex
Genetic polymorphisms in adrenergic receptors
Contribute to progression & therapeutic effectiveness of individual beta-blocking agens; EX: gain of function B1-AR variant & loss of function a2c-AR variant are more prevalent in HF pts
Digitalis
From plant Digitalis purpurea; Generally refers to extracted compounds, digoxin & digitoxin (members of cardiac glycosides class)
Cardiac glycosides –Indications for use in HF
- Treatment of chronic HF in presence of atrial fibrillation, 2. Treatment of chronic HF with confirmed S3 gallop
Benefits of cardiac glycosides (digitalis)
Use in CHF w/ normal sinus rhythm is controversial; BUT, use in pts w/Class II-III HF limited to systolic dysfunction derive benefits from cardiac glycosides above & beyond that afforded by ACE-Is & diuretics— benefits include reduced probability of worsening HF, maintenance of exercise capacity, and pt perception of better quality of life
Chemistry of cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides are a combination of an aglycone and 1 to 4 carbohydrate molecules. The aglycone is a 3-, 14-dihydrocyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene with a 17-lactone ring. The nucleus of the aglycone closely resembles the structure of steroid molecules. The carbohydrate moieties are attached to the aglycone at the C3 position.
Difference between digoxin & digitoxin
Digoxin differs from digitoxin by the presence of a hydroxyl at C12. —> Digoxin has shorter half-life & is renally excreted, while Digitoxin is eliminated via the liver.
Digitals & morbidity
Digitalis has been shown to have NO EFFECT on overall mortality [thus, today¸…..There was some reduction in deaths due to worsening HF, but also a increase in incidence of sudden death due to arrhythmias…..Statistically significant increased risk of death in women but not men… Also, there is a modest decrease in hospitalization, providing at least economic reasons for use of cardiac glycosides
Mechanism of Action of Cardiac Glycosides:
Positive inotropes = ultimately act by increasing effective intracellular Ca2+ ….. Digitalis binds selectively & saturably to the -subunit of the heterodimeric Na+/K+/ATPase —> decreases rate of extrusion of intracellular Na+ —> decreases trans-sarcolemmal (SL) sodium gradient —> decrease in the rate of efflux of intracellular Ca2+ as well as an increase in the rate of influx of extracellular Ca2+ facilitated by the bi-directional Na+/Ca++ exchanger (3Na+ to 1Ca2+)
Cardiac glycosides & [Ca2+]
Ultimate positive inotropic mechanism is to increase the effective [Ca2+] —> enhanced physical interaction of actin & myosin (cross-bridge formation).
Negative effects of Cardiac glycosides
Increase intravascular Ca2+ as well as intracellular; Increase sympathetic tone by activation of CNS descending pathways; Decrease NE reuptake
Positive effects of Cardiac glycosides
Increase parasympathetic (vagal) tone; Increase renal blood flow thereby decrease circulating volume & decreasing RAAS; Positive inotropic effect decreases sympathetic tone by resolving the symptoms of HF (decrease adrenergic & RAAS system drive)
Contraction Initiation Overview
In relaxed state, actin & myosin are sterically hindered from interacting by tropomyosin …. Contraction is initiated by AP traveling down sarcolemma causing cellular depolarization due to fast inward Na+ current, (INa), followed by the slow inward Ca2+ current. (Isi)—> The influx of Ca2+ induces a further release of Ca2+ from the SR, increasing [Ca2+]i —> increased binding of Ca2+ to troponin-C —> weakens interaction of troponin-I w/ actin so that tropomyosin can move laterally & permit myosin to act as an ATPase in the presence of actin.
Relaxation of Contraction Overview
Relaxation occurs when intracellular Ca2+ levels decline due to 1. active reuptake by SR Ca++/ATPase, 2. exchange for Na+ by SL Na+/Ca++ exchanger, and 3. active pumping out of cell by SL Ca++/ATPase.