electrophysiology pharm

Question 1

Adenosine (Adenocard)

Answer 1

Slows AV conduction allowing time to study accessory pathways.
Produces AV block to study atrial signals.
Profound but fleeting depressive effect on SA and AV nodes.
Potent but fleeting vasodilatory effect.
Half life is less than 10 seconds.
Helps diagnose WC SVT.
No effect on VT.

Question 2

Atropine

Answer 2

Treat symptomatic bradycardia, junctional escape mechanisms and second or third degree AV block.
Blocked parasympathetic response of SA node.
Improves the heart rate and AV conduction.
Requires caution in setting of acute MI.

Question 3

Isoproterenol (Isuprel)

Answer 3

Speeds up SA node and atrial conduction to study tachycardias.
Pure beta adrenergic stimulator. Increases heart rate, automaticity, and contractility.
May cause nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, or tension.
High doses may be life-threatening.

Question 4

Corvert (Ibutilide Fumarate)

Answer 4

Cardiovert atrial flutter or fibrillation.
Reduce defibrillation threshold of chronic AF.
Prolongs action potential duration and effective refractory period in atrial and ventricles without affecting conduction.
May cause torsades de pointes.

Question 5

Nitroglycerin

Answer 5

Produce systemic vasodilation.
Decreases pulmonary vascular resistance.
Muscle relaxant.
High doses produce systemic arterial dilation.

Question 6

Epinephrine

Answer 6

treat cardiac arrest.

alpha and beta adrenergic stimulator

Question 7

Benzodiazepine

i.e. Valium, Versed

Answer 7

Sedation to relieve patient anxiety.
Binds to plasma proteins.
Minor CNS depression and muscle relaxant.
Has long half life.
Can produce respiratory or cardiovascular depression.

Question 8

Fentanyl

Answer 8

Sedation, pain management.
Adjunct to local or inhalation anesthesia.
Similar to morphine but 75 to 125 times more potent.

Question 9

Morphine

Answer 9

Pain management.
Activates opioid receptors.
May cause respiratory depression or addiction.

Question 10

Diprivan (Propofol)

Answer 10

Sedation.
Decreases level of consciousness.
May cause irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, respiratory depression.

Question 11

Romazican (Flumazenil)

Answer 11

Reverse effect of benzodiazepine in conscious sedation and general anesthesia.
Suppresses benzodiazepine receptors.
Does not reverse effect of opioids

Question 12

Narcan (Naloxone)

Answer 12

Reverse effect of opioids (loss of consciouosness, respiratory depression).
Suppreses opioid receptors.

Question 13

Dopamine

Answer 13

Treat low blood pressure caused by trauma or heart attack.

Acts as vasodilator