EXAM #1: CV PHARM 2 Flashcards
What are the three consequences of arrhythmia?
1) Compromise of mechanical performance
2) Arrhythmogenesis/ evolution
3) Thrombogenesis
Note that decreased mechanical performance of the LV leads to a direct decrease in SV and CO.
What are the four general mechanisms that anti-arrhythmic drugs decrease spontaneous activity of the heart?
1) Decrease phase 4 slope
2) Increase threshold
3) Increase maximum diastolic potential
4) Increase action potential duration (ADP) i.e. effective refractory period
What is the maximum diastolic potential?
The absolute value of the repolarization–deepening (called increase) this will DECREASE spontaneous activity
What does increasing the action potential duration do to the ERP/ADP ratio?
Decreases the ERP/ADP ratio–>arrhythmothgenic
What are the two ways to increase refractoriness?
1) Na+ channel blockers, which increase the effective refractory period
2) Increase AP duration with K+ channel blockers
Why do Na+ channel blockers increase the ERP?
Blocking Na+ channels shifts the voltage dependence of recovery and delays the point to which 25% of the channels have recovered
Why do K+ channel blockers increase the action potential duration?
Decrease phase 3 re-polarization b/c of less K+ efflux
What is the general mechanism of action of the Class I antiarrhythmics?
Blockade of fast inward Na+ channels in conductive tissues of the heart
What are the physiologic effects of Class I antiarrhythmics?
Blockade of the fast inward Na+ channels:
1) Decreases the maximum depolarization rate of Phase 0
2) Slows intracardiac conduction
How does the channel specificity of Class Ia antiarrhythmics change with increasing dose?
1) Moderate binding to Na+ channels
2) K+ channel blockade
3) Ca++ channel blocking at high doses
What are the general physiologic effects of the Class Ia antiarrhythmics at increasing doses?
1) Na+ moderately slows Phase 0
2) K+ delays Phase 3 and prolongs the QRS/QT interval
3) Ca++ blockade depresses Phase 2 in myocardial tissue and Phase 0 in nodal tissue
What are the Class Ia antiarrhythmics?
Quinidine
Procainamide
Disopyramide
What is the primary mechanism of action of Quinidine and its associated effects? What are the ancillary mechanisms of action of Quinidine?
Primary MOA is to block rapid inward Na+ channel, which:
- Decreases Vmax of Phase 0
- Slows conduction
Secondarily, Quinidine
- Block K+ channels–>increasing QT interval
- Blocks M receptors–>increasing HR
- Alpha antagonist–>decrease BP
What are the indications for Quinidine?
Only used in refractory patients to:
- Conversion of symptomatic a-fib or a-flutter
- Prevent recurrence of a-fib
- Treat documented life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
What are the adverse effects of Quinidine?
1) Cinchonism (tinnitus)
2) Thrombocytopenia
3) Torsades de Pointes
4) Nausea
5) Hypotension
What is cinchonism?
This is a triad of symptoms seen from quidine overdose or its natural source, cinchona bark, including:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing-loss
- Blurred vision
What is the mechanism of action of Procainamide?
1) Blocks rapid inward Na+ channels, which decreases the Vmax of Phase 0
2) Blocks K+ channels, which will prolong the APD
What are the physiologic effects of Procainamide?
Decreased conduction, automaticity, and excitability
How does Procainamide compare to Quinidine?
Procainamide > Quinidine b/c it has:
- No effect on muscarinic receptors
- Does antagonize alpha receptors i.e. no hypotension
What are the clinical indications for Procainamide?
1) Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
2) Re-entrant SVT
3) A-fib
4) A-flutter with WPW