The cardiovascular system - Pharmacology Flashcards
Describe the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers
Block L-type Ca2+ channels in arterial smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and cardiac pacemaking tissue
Describe the effect when calcium channel blockers block L-type Ca2+ channels present in:
a) Arterial smooth muscle
b) Cardiac muscle
c) Cardiac pacemaking tissue
a) Vasodilation
b) Reduce force of cardiac muscle contraction
c) Reduce heart rate; block AV node
What are the two types of Calcium channel blockers and provide 2 examples for each
Non-dihydropyridine/rate-limiting (negative inotropic) e.g., Verapamil, Diltiazem
Dihydroyridine (non-inotropic) e.g., Amlodopine, Nifedipine
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channeblockers
a) What are effects of verapamil and diltiazem
b) What are they useful for?
a)
Verapamil - mainly cardiac effects
Diltiazem - both cardiac and vascular
b) Useful for angina and arrhythmias (and some effect on BP)
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channeblockers
a) What are effects of amlodipine and nifedipine
b) What are they useful for?
a) Act mainly on vascular smooth muscle to reduce BP
b) Widely used for hypertension
What are the known effects of cardiac (negative inotropic) calcium channel blockers?
- Slow heart rate
- Reduced contraction - may worsen heart failure
What are the known effects of vascular (non- inotropic) calcium channel blockers?
- Headache
- flushing
- Peripheral oedema
- Reflex tachycardia (may be harmful to those with coronary artery disease)
Describe the mechanism of modern day action of beta blockers
Block beta-1 adrenorecpetors in the heart. This includes the cardiac muscles which prevents the heart from pumping harder and in pacemaker tissue and conduction which prevents the heart from pumping faster. This overall slows down the heart rate
Why must you avoid beta-blockers blocking beta-2 adrenoreceptors?
Beta-2 adrenoreceptors can be found in the airways (bronchial Smooth muscle). The blockage of this prevents dilation of the lungs (bronchonstriction) and so prevents an open airway. This can cause asthma to worsen
What are the commonly used beta-blockers
Non-selective: Propanolol (old generation)
Cardioselective (selective for beta-1): Atenolol, Bisoprolol and Metoprolol
Vasodilator activity: Alpha-blocking properties (carvedilol, labetolol)
What are the indications of beta-blocker use
- ACS/MI (reduces mortality)
- Chronic heart failure (reduces mortality)
- Symptomatic benefit in angina
- Resistant hypertension (4th line)
Describe the adverse effects of beta-blockers
Cardiac cause
- Bradycardia
- Initially worsens heart failure
Sympathetic blockade
- Bronchoconstriction (blockade of beta-2 adrenoreceptors)
- Tiredness, feel cold
Describe the mechanism of action of nitrates
- Cause an increase in endothelial nitric oxide
- This activates granulate cyclase which causes an increase in cGMP
- increases dephosphorylation of myosin light chain
- Decrease Ca2+ influx into the cell
- This causes vascular smooth muscle relaxation
What are the effects of nitrates
Arterial dilation
- Improves coronary supply
- Reduce after load by lowering BP
Venous dilation that reduces blood return to heart
- Decreased preload and stretching of heart
- Decreased pressure in the ventricles (especially diastolic wall pressure)
What are the two most commonly used nitrates?
Glycerylnitrate (GTN) -
Isorbide mononitrate
What are the indications of nitrates
Symptomatic relief of angina or ACS (GTN)
Relief of heart failure in acute doses - hight doses IV are usually required
What are adverse effects of nitrates?
- Hypotension
- Reflex tachycardia
- Headache
- Flushing
Give 3 specialist drugs that are used as 3rd-4th line treatment of angina
Nicorandil (potassium channel opener)
Ranolazine (late sodium current inhibitor)
Ivabradine (Specific sinus node inhibitor - blocks cardiac conduction) (similar to beta-blocker in slowing heart rate)