EMS Pharmacology Test 1 Flashcards
acute coronary syndromes
refers to a group of clinical diseases occurring as a result of myocardial ischemia.
Name the different types of acute coronary syndromes
unstable angina, stable angina, non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.
stable angina (SA)
chest discomfort that is transient, episodic, resulting from myocardial ischemia.
Describe an SA attack
discomfort is predictable, reproducible, constant, resolves spontaneously with rest and nitroglycerine. Attacks can occur from physical and psycho. stress, exertion, anemia, and dysrhythmias.
ischemia
deprivation of oxygen
angina attacks typically occur from
physical and psychological stress, exertion, anemia, and dysrhythmia
Unstable angina pectoris usually occurs (vascular)
when a partially occluding thrombus produces symptoms of ischemia.
NSTEMI
acute process in which ischemia effects the myocardium with no elevation in ST segment on the ECG. (Symptoms identical to UA)
UA
Angina occurring when patient is at rest.
How does UA differ from NSTEMI
In NSTEMI cardiac enzymes will be elevated which indicates necrosis of the cardiac tissue.
STEMI
actual infarction of the cardiac tissue secondary to oxygenation deprivation. Cell death occurs and there is permanent, irreversible damage to the cardiac muscle cells.
Why should Oxygen be administered to ACS patients?
When a patient as angina pectoris, the oxygen demand exceeds the body’s ability to deliver adequate oxygen to the heart muscle. Providing oxygen loads the red blood cells for delivery to the heart muscle.
What is the mechanism of action of oxygen along with the side effects?
Oxygen facilitates cellular energy metabolism. Side effects can cause decreased LOC and respiratory depression in patients with COPD.
What are the anti platelet drugs indicated for ACS patients?
aspirin and plavix
State the mechanism of action and the side effects of aspirin.
Irreversibly inhibits platelets. Prevents the formation of thromboxane A2 which causes platelets to clump together and for plugs that cause obstruction or constriction of small coronary arteries. Anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, and GI bleeding.
State the mechanism of action and the side effects of Plavix/Clopidogrel
Thienopyridines (Plavix) are more potent platelet inhibitors than aspirin. Preferred agent of the anti platelets because of its rapid onset. Nausea, abdominal pain, bleeding.
What is the mechanism of action and the side effects of nitrates?
Nitrates decrease myocardial preload and subsequently afterload. They increase vein capacity and vein pooling which decreases preload and oxygen demand. Headache and hypotension.
What is the mechanism of action and what are the side effects of morphine?
Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic with weak sympathetic blockade, systemic histamine release, and anxiolysis. Side effects include respiratory depression, hypotension, and allergic reaction. (Tends to make people itchy.)
When is morphine appropriate for an ACS patient? Why?
When the patient is unresponsive to NTG or has recurrent symptoms despite anti ischemic therapy. Morphine is good because it decreases pain which calms the patient down, reducing oxygen consumption.
What are Beta Blockers?
Drugs that bind to beta adrenoreceptors and thereby block the bonding of catecholamines to these receptors. Inhibit normal sympathetic effects that act through these receptors.
What types of ACS are beta blockers effective in treating?
v fib, increased contractility, heightened myocardium oxygen demand.
What are the cardiac effects of beta blockers?
decreases contractility, decreases relaxation rate, decreases heart rate, decreases conduction velocity.
What is the vascular effect of beta blockers?
smooth muscle contraction. (mild vasoconstriction.)
inotropy
agent that alters the force of muscle contractions
lusitropy
myocardial relaxation
chronotropy
changes the heart rate
dromotropy
affects the conductivity of a nerve fiber
What is the mechanism of action and the side effects of Metoprolol.
(Beta blocker) Selective inhibitor of beta 1 receptors. Competitively blocks beta 1 receptors with little to no effect on beta 2 receptors at doses less than 100 mg. Side effects are bradycardia, bronchospasm, and hypotension.
What are the three types of anticoagulants discussed in class?
1) Heparin 2) Glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors 3) Direct thrombin inhibitors
How does unfractionated heparin work?
Binds to antithrombin III, forming a complex that is able to inactivate factor II (thrombin) and activated FACTOR X (10). This prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin thus inhibiting clot formation.
True or False, Heparin has anticoagulant properties?
False. Heparin by itself has no anticoagulant properties, it indirectly effects thrombin (responsible for fibrinogen to fibrin) which inhibits clot formation.
What are the potential side effects of heparin?
bleeding, HIT, and allergic reactions
What is HIT?
heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a disorder where there is an abnormally low amount of platelets.
What is low molecular weight heparin?
They have a small effect on the activated partial thromboplastin time and strongly inhibit factor Xa. Used as an anticoagulant.
Enoxoparin
(LMWH) Effects the activated partial thromboplastin time and strongly inhibits factor Xa. Side effects include Bruising around injection side, bleeding, HIT.
Describe glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors
Block the glycoprotein 2b/3a receptor, the binding site for fibrinogen. Reversibly blocks platelet aggregation and prevents thrombosis.
Eptifibatide
Glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitor. Reversibly prevents fibrinogen from binding thus blocking platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Side effects include bleeding, hypotension, anaphylaxis.
Direct thrombin inhibitors
acts as a specific and reversible thrombin inhibitor.