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.
Myocardial Effects of Cardiac glycosides
Modestly increase myocardial contractility, i.e. positive inotropic agents…..The salutary effects of digitalis in treatment of HF are due primarily to this
PV Loops & Digitalis
Improve ejection fraction (move curve to the left, towards normal)
Starling curve & Digitalis
Move up & to the left…. Remove excess fluid & increase CO
Manifestations of Positive Inotropic effects of Cardiac glycosides
Increased CO, Increased rates of pressure development, contraction, and relaxation, Increased myocardial EF (i.e., % of ventricular emptying), Increased SV, and Decreases in systemic vascular resistance (SVR), right atrial pressure (RAP), and in left ventricular end systolic and diastolic volumes (LVESV, LVEDV).
Cardiac glycosides positive inotropic effect —> Decreased ventricular volumes –>
Ultimately result in decreased transmural wall pressure (P = T x (1/R1 + 1R2); Law of Laplace) and thus reduce myocardial work.
Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) & Cardiac glycosides
Beneficial changes in MVO2 from cardiac glycosides depend on initial degree of pathophysiology, but are often limited, at least in comparison to several newer positive inotropes [phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors]
P-V loop with cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides tend to bring failing heart back towards normal physiology….. PV loop produced by failing heart is far to the right of PV loop produced by the normal heart, indicating both end systolic & diastolic volumes are much greater in the failing heart…. Treatment w/cardiac glycosides tends to normalize these values, shifting the pressure volume loop to the left.
Frank- Starling curve with cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides tend to bring failing heart back towards normal physiology…..
Both end systolic & diastolic volumes are much greater in the failing heart…. Treatment w/cardiac glycosides tends to normalize these values, shifting the Frank-Starling curve “up and to the left”
Vascular and Central Effects of Cardiac Glycosides
Mechanism that increases inotropy (increased intracellular Ca2+) also increases vascular tone…..Also, indirect effects of digitalis mediate increased sympathetic tone by activation of central (CNS) descending pathways —> increased amount of NE released as well as sometimes decreased NE reuptake and/or increased post-synaptic sensitivity to NE —> NOT BENEFICIAL for treatment of CHF…..Take home message: over time, the beneficial positive inotropic effects of cardiac glycosides decreases overall sympathetic tone by resolving the symptoms of CHF….Lastly, cardiac glycosides increase parasympathetic tone (vagal tone).
Renal Effects of Cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides are both diuretics & natriuretics…..The increase in CO leads to increased renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and eventually, to a decrease in circulating blood volume….. The resolution of the symptoms of CHF (including reduced sympathetic tone) act to resolve imbalances in the renin-angiotensin
system and to decrease aldosterone levels, which in turn further reduces Na+/water retention.
Electrophysiological Effects of Cardiac glycosides - complexity
The effects of digitalis on the myocardial conduction system are complex, non-uniform, and far from intuitive….. Plus, they are both time- and concentration-dependent, and vary with the pathophysiology of the heart & with differences in electrolyte balance.
Electrophysiological Effects of Digitalis – overview
SA node = decreases conduction velocity….. AV node = decreases conduction velocity, increase refractory period ….. Purkinje fibers = increases excitability….. Ventricular muscle = decrease refractory period…… i.e., Calm down nodes, rev up Purkinje fibers & ventricular muscle