Drug treatment for CHF Flashcards
What are the 6 mechanisms of low cardiac output?
1) Low preload
2) HR too slow
3) HR too fast
4) Diminished inotropic state (contractility)
5) Excessive vasoconstriction
6) Excessive or abnormal contractility
What is the treatment for low preload leading to low CO?
Crystalloid, blood
What is the treatment for bradycardia leading to low CO?
Atropine, isoproterenol, pacemaker
What is the treatment for tachycardia, which leads to low CO?
Cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drugs
What is the treatment for diminished inotropic state (contractility), leading to low CO?
Epi, dopamine, dobutamine, (amrinone), calcium, glucagon, digoxin
What is the treatment for excessive vasoconstriction, leading to low CO?
Lisinopril, hydralazine, prazosin, carvedilol, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside
What is the treatment for excessive or abnormal contractility leading to low CO?
Metoprolol, verapamil
What is atropine (sulfate)?
Atropine is a competitive muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. It is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid extracted from deadly nightshade, Jimson weed, and other plants of the family Solanaceae.
Atropine dilates the pupils, increases heart rate, and reduces salivation and other secretions.
To what drug class does atropine belong?
Pharmacologic class => muscarinic receptor antagonist, belladonna alkaloid
Therapeutic class—antiarrhythmic, vagolytic, mydriatic
Describe the pharmacodynamics of atropine.
- Blocks the effects of ACh on the SA and AV nodes
=> increases conduction and HR
= > decreases secretions in various glands (e.g. salivary, bronchial, sweat)
Describe the pharmacokinetics of atropine.
- Given IV, endotracheally, and topically (in the eye)
What toxicity is associated with atropine?
- Avoid in patients with glaucoma.
- Also avoid in obstructive uropathy, GI obstruction, ileus, toxic megacolon
What special considerations should be noted in patients on atropine?
- Can cause agitation, confusion (especially in the elderly), delirium, disorientation
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Urine retention
- Watch out especially in older men with BPH
What is the dose/route for atropine?
- Indication: symptomatic bradycardia
- Give 0.5 to 1 mg IV push, may repeat
- Given pre-op to reduce secretions and to block cardiac vagal reflexes, give 0.4 mg IM one hour before anesthesia
To what drug class does dopamine (Intropin™) belong?
Pharmacologic : adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor agonist
Therapeutic class: inotropic agent; vasopressor