FA Cardiovascular Flashcards
Primary (Essential) Hypertension Therapy
Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers.
Hypertension with
CHF Therapy
Diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, β-blockers (compensated CHF), aldosterone antagonists.
β-blockers must be used cautiously in decompensated CHF and are contraindicated in cardiogenic shock.
Hypertension with
Diabetes Mellitus
ACE inhibitors/ARBs. Calcium channel blockers, diuretics, β-blockers, α-blockers.
ACE inhibitors/ARBs are protective against diabetic nephropathy.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Amlodipine, nimodipine, nifedipine (dihydropyridine); diltiazem, verapamil (non-dihydropyridine).
Calcium Channel Blockers Mechanism
Block voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels of cardiac and smooth muscle, thereby reduce muscle contractility.
Vascular smooth muscle—amlodipine = nifedipine > diltiazem > verapamil.
Heart—verapamil > diltiazem > amlodipine = nifedipine (verapamil = ventricle).
Calcium Channel Blockers Use
Dihydropyridine (except nimodipine): hypertension, angina (including Prinzmetal), Raynaud phenomenon.
Non-dihydropyridine: hypertension, angina, atrial fibrillation/flutter.
Nimodipine: subarachnoid hemorrhage (prevents cerebral vasospasm).
Calcium Channel Blockers Toxicity
Cardiac depression, AV block, peripheral edema, flushing, dizziness, hyperprolactinemia, and constipation.
Hydralazine Mechanism
↑ cGMP smooth muscle relaxation. Vasodilates arterioles > veins; afterload reduction.
Hydralazine Use
Severe hypertension, CHF. First-line therapy for hypertension in pregnancy, with methyldopa. Frequently coadministered with a β-blocker to prevent reflex tachycardia.
Hydralazine Toxicity
Compensatory tachycardia (contraindicated in angina/CAD), fluid retention, nausea, headache, angina. Lupus-like syndrome.
Hypertensive Emergency
Commonly used drugs include nitroprusside, nicardipine, clevidipine, labetalol, and fenoldopam.
Nitroprusside Mechanism
Short acting; ↑ cGMP via direct release of NO.
Nitroprusside Use
Hypertensive emergency
Nitroprusside Toxicity
Can cause cyanide toxicity (releases cyanide).
Fenoldopam Mechanism
Dopamine D1 receptor agonist—coronary, peripheral, renal, and splanchnic vasodilation. ↓ BP and ↑ natriuresis.
Fenoldopam Use
Hypertensive emergency
Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide Dinitrate Mechanism
Vasodilate by ↑ NO in vascular smooth muscle → ↑ in cGMP and smooth muscle relaxation. Dilate veins»_space; arteries. ↓ preload.
Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide Dinitrate Use
Angina, acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary edema.
Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide Dinitrate Toxicity
Reflex tachycardia (treat with β-blockers), hypotension, flushing, headache, “Monday disease” in industrial exposure: development of tolerance for the vasodilating action during the work week and loss of tolerance over the weekend results in tachycardia, dizziness, and headache upon reexposure.
Lipid Lowering Agents
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), Niacin (vitamin B3), Bile Acid Resins (cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam), Cholesterol Absorption Blockers (ezetimibe), Fibrates (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, bezafibrate, fenofibrate)
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor Mechanism
Inhibit conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a cholesterol precursor.
↓↓↓ LDL, ↑ HDL, ↓ triglycerides
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor Toxicity
Hepatotoxicity ( LFTs),
rhabdomyolysis (esp.
when used with fibrates
and niacin)
Niacin (Vitamin B3) Mechanism
Inhibits lipolysis in adipose tissue; reduces hepatic VLDL synthesis.
↓↓ LDL, ↑↑ HDL, ↓ triglycerides
Niacin (Vitamin B3) Toxicity
Red, flushed face, which is ↓ by aspirin or longterm use.
Hyperglycemia (acanthosis nigricans).
Hyperuricemia (exacerbates gout).
Bile Acid Resin Mechanism
Prevent intestinal reabsorption of bile acids; liver must use cholesterol to make more.
↓↓ LDL, slighlty ↑ HDL, slightly ↑ triglycerides