Session 7 Cardiac Arrhythmia Drugs Flashcards
What are arrhythmias?
Heart condition where disturbances in:
- pacemaker impulse formation
- contraction impulse conduction
- combination of the two
What do arrhythmias results in? (Refer to rate etc)
Results in rate and/or timing of contraction of heart muscle that may be insufficient to maintain normal cardiac output
What is meant by resting potential and what is it caused by?
= a transmembrane electrical gradient (potential) is maintained, with the interior of the cell negative with respect to outside the cell
Caused by unequal distribution of ions inside vs outside ell
- Na+ higher outside than inside cell
- Ca+ much higher outside than inside cell
- K+ higher inside cell than outside
Maintenance by ion selective channels, active pumps and exchangers
What are the effects of class 1 drugs?
What do they block?
Block Na+ channels
= marked slowing conduction in tissue (phase 0 - the steep upward stroke)
Plus minor effects on action potential duration
What are the effects of class 2 beta-blockers?
They diminish phase 4 depolarisation and automaticity
Effect of class 3 drugs?
what do they block?
Block K+ channels
= increase action potential duration
What are the effects of class 4 drugs?
What do they block?
Calcium blockers
= calcium channel blockers DECREASE INWARD Ca2+ currents .. this results in a DECREASE of phase 4 spontaneous depolarisation
= they affect plateau phase of action potential
What drugs affect automaticity?
Beta agonists - increase the slope at phase 4 (i.e. make it steeper)
Muscarinic agonists, adenosine - decrease slope at phase 4
(Check this)
What are the two classes of rhythms associated with abnormal impulse generation?
NB: think about flow chart in slides
- Automatic rhythms
2. Triggered rhythms
What can automatic rhythms be broken down into (class wise)?
Enhanced normal automaticity —> increased AP from SA node
OR
Ectopic Focus —> AP arises from sites other than SA node
What can ‘triggered rhythms’ be broken down into?
delayed afterdepolarisation
OR
Early afterdepolarization
When referring to abnormal conduction, what two classes of problems come under this?
Conduction block (1st, 2nd or 3rd degree) =when the impulse is not conducted from the aria to the ventricles
Reentry (circus movement or reflection)
What is wolf-Parkinson-white syndrome?
An example of abnormal anatomic conduction that is present only in small populations
It leads to preexcitation
What are the actions of drugs either;
A) if there is abnormal generation
B) if there is abnormal conduction
Abnormal generation
- decrease of phase 4 slope (in pacemaker cells)
- raises the threshold
Abnormal conduction
- decrease conduction velocity
- increase EPR (so the cell wont be reexcited again)
Why do arrhythmias occur? 2
Automatic or triggered activity
Re-entry due to scar, anatomy of AV node slow and fast pathway/WPW
What is the goal for anti-arrhythmic drugs?
To restore normal sinus rhythm and conduction and to prevent more serious and possible lethal arrhythmias from occurring
These drugs are used to
A) decrease conduction velocity
B) change the duration of ERP
C) suppress abnormal automaticity
Class 1A drugs:
Action
Drug example
Action = moderate phase 0
Drugs = Quinidine, procainamide
Class 1B drugs
Action
Drug name
Action = no change in phase 0
drug name = lidocaine
Class IC drugs
Action
Drug name
Action = marked phase 0
Drugs = flecainide, propafenone
Class II drugs
Action
Drugs
Action = beta-adrenergic blockers
Drugs = bisoprolol, metoprolol, propranolol (esmolol)
Class III drugs
Action =
Drugs =
Action = prolong repolarisation
Drugs = amiodarone, sotalol
Class IV drugs
Action
Drugs
Action = calcium channel blockers
Drugs = verapamil, diltiazem