Drugs used in management of heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias Flashcards
Mechanism of action of inotropes?
Increase force of contraction of heart
Mechanism of action of diuretics?
Increase in passage of urine - excrete Na and water
Mechanism of action of beta blockers?
Stabilise heart rhythm by inhibiting action of adrenaline
Effect of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers?
Dilation of BV and reduce work of contraction of the heart
Name 2 types of inotropes and its effect?
Adrenoreceptor agonist
Mimic effects of adrenaline
+ve inotropic effects = increase contractility of heart
Cardiac glycosides
antiarrythmic and inotrpic effects
Why do adrenoreceptor agonists (inotropes) have to be given by continuous iv drip?
Very short half life (30 secs)
Consequences of adrenoreceptor agonists?
Arrythmias and increase myocardial oxygen demand
Action of cardiac glycosides?
Antiarrythmic = vagolytic effects = reduce rate and conduction in sinus and AV node Inotropic = increase intracellular Ca+
Indications for cardiac glycosides
Supraventricular arrythmias
Chronic atrial fibrillation
Heart failure (improve symptoms)
Describe pharmacology of cardiac glycosides?
a) elimination
b) effect of this on certain patients
c) therapeutic index
d) when plasma concentrations should be monitored?
a) hepatic
b) impaired renal function = lower doses
c) narrow TI = easily toxic
d) monitor when possible toxic symptoms showing or lack of efficacy of drug
How do cardiac glycosides cause inotropic effects?
Inhibti Na K pump - so Sodium accumulates in the cell
This prevents Na Ca exchanger which normally pumps Na in and Ca out
So Ca accumulates int he cell = inotropic
Possible effect of increased Na in the cell due to to cardiac glycoside treatment?
Arrhythmias
Adverse effects of cardiac glycosides?
Cardiac = heart block, supra-ventricular and ventricular arrhythmias Non-cardiac = nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, visual disturbances
How can diuretics be catergarised?
Causing potassium loss (K+ loosing)
Causing potassium retention (K+ sparing)
Effect of K+ loosing and K+ sparing diuretics?
K+ lost with water
K= retention despite loss of water
Adverse effects of loop diuretics result from …
Profound diuresis
Why do loop diuretics cause profound diuresis?
Stronger diuretics
What kind of adverse effects are caused by thiazide diuretics?
Metabolic effects e.g. impaired glucose intolerance
Generally what are common adverse effects of K+ loosing diuretics like loop and thiazide diuretics?
Hypokalaemia
Gout
Pancreatits