Pharmacology Flashcards
Catecholamines
Augment arterial BP, contractility and cardiac output
They will not work without cortisol so may require glucocorticoid given simultaneously in the critically ill
Increase the metabolic O2 demand
Addressing hypotension
- Anticholinergic or reversal is a2
- Fluid bolus if Hypovolaemia
- Start dopamine CRI at pressor rates (lower rates will vasodilate)
- Give antiarrhthmics
- If no response to dopamine consider norepinephrine
- No response to catecholamines consider vasopressin and/or hydrocortisone
Dopamine
Precursor to epinephrine
B and A properties depending on dose (b at lower and a at higher)
Modest vasoconstriction and increase in BP
Dobutmaine
Synthetic analog to dopamine with primary b1 agonism
Moderately vasodilate and increases forward blood flow in the face of normal BP (increasing CO)
Ephedrine
Increases norepinephrine release from the SNS and is a bronchodilator
Modest decrease in HR whilst increasing CO, SVR and arterial BP
Can deplete norepinephrine stores
Norepinephrine
Primarily a agonism
Potent vasoconstriction to increase arterial BP
Will have varying affect on HR and CO depending on volume status
Used when ineffective to dopamine
Phenylephrine
A agonism only
Raises the BP after dopamine ruled ineffective
Vasopressin
Not technically a catecholamine but is a pure vasoconstrictor that may be useful if no response to catecholamines
Will increase SVR due to baroreceptor reflex in response to a decrease in HR/Vol
Epinephrine
Works on all receptors
Not usually a first choice unless CPR
Increases HR, SVR and CO
Increases arterial BP and pacemaker activity
Cardiovascular support drug choice
- Dopamine and/or dobutamine as increases heart rate and contractility and potentially CO. Modestly increases vasomotor tone; dopamine “pressure” and dobutamine “output”.
- Norepinephrine
Combining catecholamines does what?
Midway effects of both drugs I.e. increases in heart rate and BP without arrhythmia (norepinephrine and dopamine)
Which of vascular resistance and cardiac output is more powerful in determining arterial BP
Vascular resistance
Arterial vasomotor tone
Primary determinant of visceral and tissue perfusion
Vasoconstriction
Good thing unless affecting perfusion in which case dobutamine may be used to modestly vasodilate without affecting BP but improving the forward flow
Cortisol and catecholamines
The cardiovascular system doesn’t operate well without cortisol; low cortisol causes vasoparesis and impaired response to catecholamines (CIRCI/RAI) and so low dose hydrocortisone in the critically ill that aren’t responding to catecholamines will likely help improve catecholamine activity
What are some affects other than cardiovascular catecholamines can have
Increased glucose and lactate
Increased K uptake so Hypokalaemia
Increasing metabolic O2 demand
Impaired PLT
Vasopressin
Or known as ADH or AVP
Normally released in response to an increase in osmolality, decreased blood volume or decreased BP
G-coupled receptors that primarily induce vasoconstriction
Inhibited by glucocorticoids, opiates, natriuretic factors and GABA
V1 receptors
Smooth muscles
Vasoconstriction (vasodilation at cerebral, renal, pulmonary and mesenteric vessels)
V2 receptors
Renal collecting ducts, endothelial cells, platelets and vascular endothelium
Increased water permeability
Increased vWF release
Stimulation of aggregation
Vasodilation
V3 receptors
Posterior pituitary
ACTH release
Oxytocin (vasopressin receptor)
Mammary gland, uterus, GIT and endothelium
Contraction
Vasodilation
In vitro vasopressin
More potent vasoconstrictor compared to norepinephrine, angiotensin II, phenylephrine
Apart from vaso effects what is AVP involved in
Sleep
Memory
Temperature regulation
ACTH release
Uses of vasopressin
CPR
Vasodilatory shock
Central diabetes insipidus (desmopressin) - increased ADH action
vWD (desmopressin)
GI disease
Haemorrhagic shock
Side effects of vasopressin
Local irritation
Tissue necrosis
Increased liver and TBil enzymes
Reduced platelets
Low sodium
Anaphylaxis
Bronchospasm
Water intoxication
What BP would warrant immediate therapy with anithypertensives
180/120(>140)
Diseases that cause hypertension that warrant therapy
Cushings
Hepatic diseases
DM
Chromocytomas
EPO
Anaemia
ACE Inhibitors
Inhibit the conversion of ATI > ATII increasing bradykinin and reducing plasma volume
They induce arterial and veno dilation
Reduce aldosterone release so sodium and water excretion increased
Used for all forms of hypertension but can reduce it too much
I.e. enalipril, benazipril, ramipril and lisonopril
ATII receptor blockers
May be a safer antihyprtensive for those experiencing renal insufficiency
Dose-dependant fall in BP with minimal effects on HR and CO
I.e. Losartan, irbesartan, telmisartan
Adrenergic receptor antagonists
Block A and/or B
I.e. propranolol, atenolol, prazosin
B blockade = decreased renin, decreased HR, decreased adrenergy and decreased contractility
A blockade = antagonise contriction
Used when other anti hypertensives fail or in tachydysrhythmias, may also decrease bladder sphincter tone
Aldosterone blockers
I.e spironalactone
DCT and collecting ducts and decrease sodium reabsorption and decrease K excretion
Weak diuretic effect
If used with other hypertensives may induce renal insufficiency