PHARMACOLOGY - Pharmacological Treatment of Heart Failure Flashcards
Which adrenergic receptor in the heart tissue is predominately controlled by the sympathetic nervous system?
β1 adrenergic receptors
Which adrenergic receptor in the vascular smooth muscle is predominately controlled by the sympathetic nervous system?
Most of the vasculature is controlled by α adrenergic receptors for vasoconstriction, however the vasculature supplying the skeletal muscle have β2 adrenergic receptors for vasodilation
Why is the vasculature supplying skeletal muscle predominantly controlled by β2 adrenergic receptors rather than α adrenergic receptors?
The sympathetic nervous system will stimulate β2 adrenergic receptors to stimulate vasodilation of the vasculature to increase the blood supply to skeletal muscle
Which cholinergic receptor in the heart tissue is predominately controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system?
M2 cholinergic receptors
Which cholinergic receptor in the vasculature is predominately controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system?
The vasculature receives minimal input from the parasympathetic nervous system
How does the effects of increased cAMP differ between cardiac muscle cells and vascular smooth muscle cells?
In cardiac muscle cells, an increase in cAMP promotes calcium influx, which enhances contractility. In vascular smooth muscle, increased cAMP inhibits the contractile pathway of vascular smooth muscle and thus promotes vasodilation
What is an ionotrope?
An ionotrope is a substance which alters the force of muscular contraction
What is a chronotrope?
A chronotrope is a substance which alters the speed of muscular contraction
What is a lusitrope?
A lusitrope is a substance which alters the diastolic relaxation of the ventricles
What are the four classifications of drugs used in the treatment of heart failure?
Sympathomimetics
Diuretics
Vasodilators
Inodilators
What is the mechanism of action of sympathomimetics?
Sympathomimetics are β1 agonists which bind to β1 receptors on cardiac muscle which stimulates adenylate cyclase, increasing cAMP and the influx of calcium into the cell, increasing myocardial contractility
List two examples of sympathomimetics
Catecholamines
Dobutamine
Why should catecholamines only be used for resuscitation?
Catecholamines will bind to both α and β adrenergic receptors which will lead to major side effects so should only be used in emergency resuscitation
When is the use of dobutamine indicated?
The use of dobutamine is indicated when the patient is in life-threatening heart failure with severely impaired systolic function
Why should dobutamine only be used for three days?
Dobutamine should only be used for three days as excessive stimulation of the β1 receptors by dobutamine can cause the receptors to internalise within the cardiac muscle cell
How should dobutamine be administered? Why is this?
Dobutamine can only be administered by intravenous (IV) infusion due to its short half life
What are diuretics?
Diuretics are substances which promote urine production
Why are diuretics used when treating heart failure?
Diuretics are useful when treating heart failure as they promote urine production which reduces fluid overload in the body which would increase preload and normally increase cardiac workload
What are high ceiling diuretics?
High ceiling diuretics are diuretics with have a high capacity to cause diuresis (promote urine production)
What are low ceiling diuretics?
Low ceiling diuretics are diuretics with have a low capacity to cause diuresis (promote urine production)
When would the use of diuretics be contraindicated when treating patients with heart failure?
The use of diuretics would be contraindicated if the patient has cardiac tamponade
What are the four classifications of diuretic drugs?
Loop diuretics
Thiazides
K+ sparing diuretics
Osmotic diuretics
What is the mechanism of action for loop diuretics?
Loop diuretics inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water through inhibiting the Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transporter on the lumenal membrane of the thick ascending loop of Henle
Why are loop diuretics classifed as high ceiling diuretics?
Loop diuretics can increase sodium excretion from around 1% to a range of 15 - 25%
Give an example of a loop diuretic drug
Furosemide
(T/F) Furosemide has a rapid onset and short duration of action
FALSE. Furosemide has a rapid onset and a long duration of action
What are the four possible side affects of Furosemide?
Dehydration
Pre-renal azotaemia
Electrolyte disturbances
Ototoxicity
How can the risk of ototoxicity due to Furosemide be reduced?
The risk of ototoxicity can be reduced through slow infusion or divided doses of Furosemide
What is the mechanism of action for thiazides?
Thiazides inhibit sodium and water reabsorption through inhibiting the Na+/Cl- co-transporter on the lumenal membrane of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)