K+ and Ca2+ Blockers Flashcards
specifically what channels are blocked by class III drugs?
class III drugs are the K blockers and they specifically boock the inward rectifier K+ channels
what phase of the actionpotential is altered by K blockers? How?
phase 3 - repolarization
slows repolarization down, thus increasing AP duration and effective refractory period
If the AP is prolonged by K blockers, what’s a side effect common to all of them?
prolonged QT
If K blockers prolong the time that the cell is unexcitable, what are they apricularly useful for/
useful in suppressing reentry arrhythmias
What are the three K blockers we know/
Amiodarone
Dofetilide
Ilbutilide
What are the cardiac effects of amiodarone?
blocks a lot…
prolongs AP as a K blocker, but also a potent Na blocker, weak beta blocker and weak Ca blockers, so you also get slowed heart rate and slowed AV node conduction
What are the extracardiac effects of amiodarone/
peripheral vasodilation
What are the main toxicities of amiodarone?
the most important is dose related pulmonary toxicity
others include
1. abnormal liver functions, hypersensitivity hepatitis
2. skin deposits leading to photodermatitis
3. corneal microdeposits in nearly ALL patients - halos develop in peripheral visual fields, rarely leads to blindness
4. hypo and hyperthyroidism
How is amiodarone metabolized?
mainly hepatic metabolism to a bioactive metabolite
note - effects will last 1-3 months past cessation!
Substrate for CYP3A4 - so will be influenced by inducers!
inhibits several p450s and can increase concentrations of other drugs
what is amiodarone used for?
ventricular tachycardia including v fib! also atrial fibrillation and flutter
What are the cardiac effects of dofetilide?
it’s a VERY selective K blocker, so you get prolonged AP and increase QT interval.
What is the main toxicity of dofetilide?
life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias because of the long QT
What are the pharmacokinetics of dofetilide?
100% bioavailable! hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4
What is the main therapeutic use of dofetilide?
maintenance and restoration of normal sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation
DON”T USE in people with long QT, bradycardia or hypokalemia
What are the cardiac effects of ibutilide?
prolong AP as K blocker. Also slows inward Na activator , so delayed repolarization further.
also inhibits Na channel inactivation, which increases the ERP?
What is the main toxicity for ibutilide?
excessive QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. can cause life threatening ventricular arrhythmias
How is ibutilide metabolized?
hepatic metabolism
What’s the main therapeutic use of ibutilide?
acute conversion of a flutter and a fib to normal sinus. more effective in flutter - 20 minutes mean time to termination