Pharmacology 10: Drugs affecting heart and heart rhythm Flashcards
what are class I anti-arrhythmic drugs?
Na+ ion channel blockers e.g.class Ia- quninidine and procainamide class Ib- lidocaine class Ic- flecainide
what are class II anti-arrhythmic drugs?
beta blockers e.g. atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol
what are class III anti-arrhythmic drugs?
inhibitors of repolarisation so prolong AP, K+ channel blockers e.g. amiodarone, sotalol
what are class IV anti-arrhythmic drugs?
Ca2+ channel blockers e.g. verapamil- a phenylalkylamine and diltiazem- a benzothiazepine
at which phase of the ventricular AP do class I anti-arrhythmics act?
phase O= block fast inward Na+ channels class Ia produce a weak K+ block- prolong repolarisation so increase effective refractory period, e.g. procainamide main effect is to decrease conduction velocity through cardiac tissue by decreasing upstroke velocity of phase O, and this stops re-entry loops* also increase threshold for depolarisation ,and reduce automaticity in SA node by shifting threshold to more +ve potentials, and decrease slope of phase 4 depolarisation, which decreases HR
why is lidocaine only given IV?
subject to extensive 1st pass metabolism
ADRs of lidocaine?
nystagmus seizures dizziness drowsiness -vly inotropic- CI in HF
ST ADRs of amiodarone?
hypotension and phlebitis with IV administration
LT ADRS of amiodarone?
hypo/hyper thyroidism pulmonary fibrosis hepatic dysfunction peripheral neuropathy slate grey skin/photosensitivity
what does the PR interval on an ECG represent?
length of time for AP conduction through AV node
what does the QT interval represent?
ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation
what does the ST segment represent?
period during which ventricles are depolarised, corresponds to plateau phase of ventricular AP= Ca2+ voltage-gated channels open- delayed opening and slow to close, Ca2+ entry and K+ also being moved out of cells.
define an arrthymia
heart condition where disturbances in pacemaker impulse formation, or contraction impulse conduction, or combination of the 2.
how do Na+ channel blockers decrease likelihood of re-entry?
decreasing conduction velocity by decreasing upstroke of ventricular myocyte AP in phase 0
and
increase refractory period of ventricular myocytes
what is the problem with AP conduction in AF?
re-entrant AP conduction through atrium**
chaotic, irregular atrial rhythm= irregularly irregular
AV node responds intermittently, so irregular ventricular rate
2 ways in which AF can be managed (what are drugs targeting)?
control ventricular rate
attempt to restore and maintain sinus rhythm
how can ventricular rate be controlled with drugs for AF patients?
beta blocker
of Ca2+ channel blocker e.g. diltiazem, or verapamil
digoxin only effective for controlling ventricular rate at rest
if ventricular rate can’t be controlled with single drug, combine digoxin and other drug e.g. beta blocker
how can sinus rhythm be restored in AF using drugs?
class IC Na+ channel blocker e.g. flecainide, shifts SA node AP threshold to more +ve potential and reduces upstroke of phase 4 depolarisation or K+ ion channel blocker e.g. amiodarone or sotalol
how do beta blockers affect the heart in arrhythmias?
diminish phase 4 depolarisation and automaticity at SA and AV nodes, reduced slope of phase 4 AP at SA node part. important, so reduce sympathetic stimulation to SA node and AV node, inhibit If Na+ channels producing pacemaker current.
also prolong repolarisation- reduce K+ currents at AV node, increase effective refractory period so decrease incidence of reentry, slow ventricular rate as prolonged AV node repolarisation means longer time period before another AV node AP can be transmitted to cause ventricles to contract. increase AP duration
term used to describe heart as it can contract spontaneously without outside nervous stimulation?
myogenic
most frequently used anti-arrhythmic drugs in supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias precipitated by sympathetic stimulation?
beta blockers
ADRs of beta blockers?
bradycardia hypotension heart block bronchospasm cold extremities
effects on heart of K+ channel blockers used in arrhythmias?
prolong AP by prolonging repolarisation, increasing effective refractory period and decreases incidence of re-entry
also reduce phase 0 and conduction, increase threshold, reduce speed of AV conduction, reduce phase 4
why do Ca2+ channel blockers act preferentially on SA and AV nodal tissues?
these pacemaker tissues depend on Ca2+ currents for depolarisation phase of AP (phase 0)
main action of class IV antiarrhythmic drugs (Ca2+ blockers)?
slow AP upstroke in AV nodal cells (phase 0 depolarisation) causing slowed conduction velocity through AV node.
why must a patient be closely monitored if receiving an IV infusion of a K+ channel blocking agent?
prolongs QT interval, so risk of torsades de pointes which can go into VF and then cardiac arrest
major ADRs of amiodarone?
reduce AV or SA node function, hypotension
pneumonitis, leading to pulmonary fibrosis
hyper or hypo thyroidism
elevated liver enzymes
peripheral neuropathy
corneal microdeposits
slate grey skin