Pharmacology of heart Failure (c) Flashcards
What are the different NTHA functional classifications of heart failure?
1 - no limitation of physical activity, norm activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnoea
2 - Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest. Oridinay physical activity results in f, p, d.
3 - Marked limitation of physical activity. comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity causes f,p,d.
4 - Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort increases.
What are the different terms used for heart failure?
Chronic Heart Failure
Congestive Heart Failure.
What are the symptoms of left heart failure?
Dysponoea
Otrhopneoea - dyspnoea when lying down
Paroxysmal noctural dyspnoea (awakenes patient and relieved when sitting up)
Pulmonary congestion and oedema (crackles)
Exercise intolerance
Pulmonary odema
These symptoms occur due to congestion of blood into the lungs
What are the symptoms of right heart failure?
Odematous swelling of feet, ankles and legs
Hepatomegaly: enlarged palpate, tender, nutmeg liver.
Ascities
Excessive nocturnal urination
Increased Jugular venous pressure
Exercise intolerance
Occurs due to congestion of blood into systemic circulation.
What term is used for when left and right ventricular heart failure co-exist>
Bi-ventricular failure
Explain the pathophysiological process underpinning heart failure.
Injury to the heart
Results in heart failure and reduced cardiac output
This activates normal physiological mechanisms to try to compromise.
Acute - baroreceptors response to low BP, Frank Starling to in contractility from inc EDV.
1. Decreased renal perfusion - RAAS and vasoconstriction
2. Also Increased SANS inc renin and vasoconstriction
This results in increased blood volume causing venous congestion causing release of naturetic peptides.
These acute and chronic methods of compromise lead to increased afterload and preload, and can cause pulmonary congestion.
The heart is working harder to cope with increased fluid demand - results in higher energy consumption and cardiac remodelling can worsen pump failure.
Ventricular dysfunction occurs.
What are the different types of drugs given in heart failure?
ACEi
ARB
Beta blockers
Duirectics
SGLT2 inhibitors
Neprilysin inhibitors
Cardiac glycosides
Ivabradine
Vasodilators
Calcium channel blockers (very rare)
What naming indicates an SGLT2 inhibitor?
-gliflozin suffix
What naming indicatoes a neprilysin inhibitor?
-tril suffix
What is the NICE diagnostic pathway for heart failure?
IN suspected heart failure take a detailed history and clinical examination
Measure NT-proBNP
If NT-proBNP is below 400ng/l heart failure not confirmed consider other cause
Is 400-2000ng/l refer to be seen within 6 weeks by specialised
Is above 2000ng/L refer very urgently to be seen within 2 weeks by specialist
Specialist will perform a clinical assessment including a transthoracic echocardiogram
Heart failure can be ruled or or confirmed
If confirmed further investigation for aetiology (if correctable) and assess severity.
What are the NICE treatment guidelines for initial treatment of patients with chronic heart failure?
Offer diuretics for congestive symtpoms and fluid retentions
If ejection fraction reserved manage co-morbidities and symptoms.
If ejection fraction reduced offer ACEi (or ARB if intolerant or hydralazine and nitrate if intolerant of ARB) and BB or then a MRA is symptoms continue.
Both groups of patients should be offered a exercise based cardiac rehabilitation programme unless unstable condition.
What should be used as second line treatment for heart failure?
Requires specialist re-assessment are four potential options
1)Replaced ACEi with sacubitril valsartan Ej<35%
2) Add ivabradine EJ,35% must has sinus rhythm and heart rate
3) Add hydralazine and nitrates
4) Digoxin
Some patients may also be referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy or an ICD.
What are the main diuretics used in heart failure?
Thiazide
Loop diuretics
Potassium sparing (not in isolation)
May also use SGLT2 inhibitors.
What is meant by a natriuretic?
Lowers plasma sodium
Hence lowers plasma water retention
Osmotic forces keep water out of the blood and in the lumen filtrate in the kidney
Increased volume of more dilute lumen
Most diuretics and natriuretics.
What is the clinical use of acetazolamide?
Used to reduced intraocular pressure in glucoma.
Treatment of glaucoma
Treatment of epilepsy
What is the mechanism of action of acetazolamide?
Class - carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Chem - small molecule derived from sulphonadie antibiotics
Pharmacology - competitive inhibitor at carbonic anhydrase enzymes
Physiology - reduces Na+ reabsorption in the PCT mainly through action at Na+/H+ antiporter - increase urine flow
This decreases pre-load, venous congestion providing symptomatic relief.
This effect is mild and self-limiting.
Why does acetazolamide (CAI) have a self limiting effect?
Decrease absoprtion of Na+ through Na+ H+ antiporter in PCT
However increase Na+ delivery to DCT - increase ENaC channel activity - compensatory effects - some sodium reabsorbed here
Also has a consequence of hypokalemia.
Similarly inhibiting CA decreases HCO3- and H+ production, can cause metabolic acidosis and increase activity of Na+ H+ antiporter and Na+ HCO3- transporter - reducing diuretic effect.
Draw a diagram to represent the role of carbonic anhydrase in tubule epithelial cells in the PCT?
Links to acetazolamide function
**
What is the role of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme?
Catalyses the reversible reaction of converting H20 and Co2 to HCO3- and H+ via a carbonic acid intermediate.
What is the clinical use of hydrochlorothiazide?
In treatment of hypertension and odema in combination with other treatments.
Has mild diuertic action
What is the mechanism of action of hydrochlorothiazide?
Is a small molecule dervide from CAIs.
Class - thiazide diuretic
Pharmacology: inhibits the Na+ Cl- symporter in the DCT, found on the apical membrane. Drug is thought to bind to the Cl- binding site.
Physiology: decreases Na+ reabsoprtion in the DCT
What are the potential side effects of thiazide diuretics?
1) Have limited glomerular filtration so reach target site via secretion into PCT via OAT transporters - this competitively reduces the amount of uric acid secreted - can uraemia and increased risk of gout.
2) Encourages K+ loss causing hypokalemia, causes H+ loss resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
Draw a diagram to show how thiazide diuretics carry out their effects at the DCT
Ans