Drugs Used in the Treatment of Ichaemic Heart Disease Flashcards
What two things can ischaemic heart disease lead to
Angina and myocardial infarction
In what circumstances does angina arise from ischaemic heart disease
When there is a stable plaque that causes narrowing of the coronary arteries.
In what circumstances does myocardial infarction arise from ischaemic heart disease
When there is an unstable plaque and thrombus formation.
What does vascular endothelium regulate
Smooth muscle tone, permeability and leukocyte adhesion, platelet aggregation and tendency for thrombus formation.
What are four causes of endothelial dysfunction
- elevated and modified LDL, e.g. in hypercholesterolaemia
- Oxygen free radicals caused by smoking, hypertension and activated inflammatory cells
- infectious micro-organisms
- physical damage by turbulent flow.
What are foam cells
Macrophages that take up low density lipoprotiein oxidised by the interaction with oxygen free radicals. They are a component of fatty streaks.
What are the three methods of management of coronary artery disease
- Reduce risk factors for development
- Pharmacological measures
- Surgical intervention.
What risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease can be reduced
Diet, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes
Why are women more protected from endothelial dysfunction until menopause
Due to the presence of oestrogen.
What pharmalogical measures can be used to prevent the development of coronary artery disease
The use of lipid lowering drugs such as statins and fibrates
What are two examples of lipid lowering drugs
Statins and fibrates
What pharmacological measures can be used to treat the angina symptoms of coronary artery disease
Use of nitrates which are cleaved to produce nitric oxide - a potent vasodilator.
What pharmacological measures can be used to prevent thrombosis and myocardial infarction in coronary artery disease
Anti-platelet and anti-coagulant drugs.
What surgical measures can be used in the management of coronary artery disease
- Balloon angioplasty for plaque removal
- Stenting
- Coronary artery bypass grafting.
What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease
- Genetic
- Smoking
- Diet
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Age
- Male sex.
What is an example of a fibrate
Benzafibrate
What do fibrates do
They are lipid lowering drugs. They decrease circulating VLDL and triglyceride and increase HDL.
What do statins do
They are lipid lowering drugs which lower LDL levels. They are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. This is the rate determining step of cholesterol formation.
What is an example of a statin
Simvastatin
What is the mechanism of action of statins as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
LDL is formed by cholesterol which is synthesised in the liver. HMG-CoA reductase is important in the rate limiting step of this process. Statins block the formation of LDL by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme.
What is mevalonate
A precursor for cholesterol
As well as inhibiting the formation of LDL, what else do statins do
They increase the expression of LDL receptors to increase the uptake of LDL.
What is angina
Intermittent chest pain caused by mismatch between demand of oxygen by the heart and supply of oxygen to the heart.
How is angina managed
By reducing the demand on the heart or increasing the oxygen supply to the heart to reduce the imbalance between supply and demand.
What is used to treat angina during an acute attack
- Rest
- Nitrates
What is an example of a nitrate used for treatment of an acute angina attack
Glyceryl trinitrate
What types of drugs are used for prophylaxis of angina to reduce the likelihood of an attack
- Beta adrenoceptor antagonists
- Calcium antagonists
- KATP channel opener
- Longer lasting nitrate
What is an example of a beta adrenocepttor antagonist used for prophylaxis of angina
Atenolol