Pharmacology Flashcards
What is the funny current?
A current mediated by hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels that conduct Na+ and K
What constitutes phase 4 in nodal (AV and SA) cells
Funny current (inward), increase in transient Calcium channels (outward) and decrease in delayed rectifier potassium channel (inward)
Range of action potential in nodal cells?
-60 mV to +10 mV, lasts for 200ms
What happens during the plateau phase of action potential?
Plateau is largely a fine balance of inward Ca2+ current that slowly inactivates and outward K+ current that slowly activates
What receptors are activated by adrenaline and noradrenline; neurotransmitters of the sympathetic nervous system?
Beta-1 adrenoceptors in nodal and myocardial cells. Coupling through Gs protein activates adenylyl cyclase to increase cAMP
How does sympathetic system affect heart rate?
Increase heart rate (positive chronotropic effect) – mediated by SA node and due to (i) an increase in the slope of phase 4 depolarization (‘the pacemaker potential’) caused by enhanced If and ICa, (ii) reduction in the threshold for AP initiation caused by enhanced ICa
How does sympathetic system affect stroke volume?
Increase contractility (positive inotropic response) – due to (i) increase in phase 2 of the cardiac action potential in atrial and ventricular myocytes and enhanced Ca2+ influx and (ii) sensitisation of contractile proteins to Ca2+
How does sympathetic system affect AV nodal delay?
Increase conduction velocity in AV node (positive dromotropic response) – due to enhancement of If and ICa
How does sympathetic system affect duration of systole?
Decrease duration of systole (positive lusitropic action) – due to increased uptake of Ca2+ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum
What receptors are activated by M2 muscarinic cholinoceptors?
Acetylcholine (post-ganglionic transmitter) – activates M2 muscarinic cholinoceptors, largely in nodal cells. Coupling through Gi protein: (i) decreases activity of adenylate cyclase and reduces [cAMP]I and (ii) opens potassium channels (GIRK) to cause hyperpolarization of SA node (mediated by Gi βγ subunits)
Ivabradine in Angina
Ivabradine is a selective blocker of HCN channels that is used to slow heart rate (HR) in angina (a condition in which coronary artery disease (CAD) reduces the blood supply to cardiac muscle). Slower HR reduces O2 consumption
Muscular contraction
Ventricular action potential
Opening of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels (L-type) during phase 2 of action potential
Ca2+ influx into cytoplasm
Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Calcium-Induced Calcium Release – CICR). Caused by Ca2+ activating the ryanodine type 2 channel (RyR2)
Ca2+ binds to troponin C and shifts tropomyosin out of the actin cleft
Cross bridge formation between actin and myosin resulting in contraction via the sliding filament mechanism
Muscular relaxation
Repolarization in phase 3 to phase 4
Voltage-activated L-type Ca2+ channels close
Ca2+ influx ceases. Ca2+ efflux occurs by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1)
Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum ceases. Active sequestration via Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm now dominates
Ca2+ dissociates from troponin C
Cross bridges between actin and myosin break resulting in relaxation
Agonists of Beta-Adrenoceptor ligand upon the heart
Dobutamine, Adrenaline and Noradrenaline
Pharmacodynamic effects of the agonists of Beta-Adrenoceptor ligand upon the heart
Increase force, rate and cardiac output (i.e. HR x SV) and O2 consumption
Decrease cardiac efficiency (O2 consumption increases more than cardiac work)
Can cause disturbances in cardiac rhythm (arrhythmias)
How is Adrenaline generally delivered?
Intramuscular unless there’s cardiac arrest along with shock, then intravenously
Effect of Adrenaline on the heart?
Alpha and Beta agonist
Positive inotropic and chronotropic actions (β1)
Redistribution of blood flow to the heart (constricts blood vessels in the skin, mucosa and abdomen (α1))
Dilation of coronary arteries (β2)
Which drug causes the least tachycardia among Beta1 agonists?
Dobutamine given intravenously
Given for acute, but potentially reversible, heart failure (e.g. following cardiac surgery, or cardiogenic, or septic, shock)
Examples of non-selective beta-adrenoceptors blockers
Propranalol
Examples of selective beta-adrenoceptors blockers
Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol
Examples of non-selective and beta-adrenoceptors and partial agonists
Alprenolol
Pharmacodynamic effects of non-selective blockers
No effect on HR, SV, CO or MAP at rest
Significantly depressed during exercise or stress
Clinical uses of Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists
Treatment of disturbances of cardiac rhythm (arrhythmias) - decrease excessive sympathetic drive and help restore normal sinus rhythm
Treatment angina - First line as an alternative to calcium entry blockers
Treatment of heart failure (compensated) - low-dose β-blockers improve morbidity and mortality, presumably by reducing excessive sympathetic drive (Carvedilol)
Treatment of hypertension (HT) - No longer first-line unless co-morbidities (e.g. angina) are present
When are beta-adrenoceptor antagonists prescribed for hypertension?
No longer first-line unless co-morbidities (e.g. angina) are present
What can be used as an alternative to Calcium entry blockers?
Beta-Adrenoceptor antagonists
Drug used in treatment of compensated heart failure
Carvedilol - By reducing excess sympathetic drive. Also is a additional α1 antagonist activity causing vasodilation