Cardiology + SBM 7 Flashcards
(100 cards)
Q: What are the treatment options for high non-HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, especially for statin-intolerant patients or those needing additional LDL lowering?
A: Statins are the primary drugs for treating high non-HDL and LDL cholesterol. For patients who are statin-intolerant or need additional LDL lowering, other options include ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9 MAbs), both of which are effective at lowering LDL and have shown cardiovascular benefits. Newer drugs, like bempedoic acid and inclisiran, may also be used, though they do not yet have cardiovascular outcomes data.
Q: What is the risk of liver damage with cholesterol-lowering drugs, and how should liver function be monitored?
A: Many cholesterol-lowering drugs, including niacin, fibrates, and potentially statins and ezetimibe, can cause liver damage. These drugs should not be used if AST or ALT levels are greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal. Liver function tests (LFTs) should still be monitored during treatment.
Q: How do statins work to lower cholesterol levels?
A: Statins inhibit the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which prevents the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. This is the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, ultimately lowering cholesterol levels.
When to use high vs mod intensity statin
Secondary Clinical ASCVD = high intensity
Primary = LDL >/= 190 = high
DM 40-75
LDL 70-188 = high multiple risks
- Mod w/o risks
- 70-189 = ASCVD >/= 20% high, 7.5-19.9 = moderate
High intensity statin
- Atorvastatin (lipitor) 40-80mg
- Rosuvastatin (crestor) 20-40mg
Mod intensity statin
- Atorvastatin 10-20
- Rosuvastatin 5-10
- Simvastatin (zocor) 20-40
- Pravastatin 40-80
- Lovastatin 40
- Fluvastatin 40bid/80xl
- Pitavastatin 2-4
Statin dosing equivulant
Q: What is the most important adverse effect of statins, and how does it present?
A: The most important adverse effect of statins is muscle damage. This typically presents as muscle soreness, tiredness, or weakness that is symmetrical in large muscle groups, such as the legs, back, or arms. Symptoms usually occur within six weeks of starting treatment but can develop at any time.
Q: What are the different ways muscle damage from statins can present?
A: Muscle damage from statins can present as:
Myalgias: muscle soreness and tenderness
Myopathy: muscle weakness, possibly with CPK elevations
Myositis: muscle inflammation
Rhabdomyolysis: muscle symptoms with very high CPK (>10,000 IU/L) and muscle protein in the urine (myoglobinuria), which can lead to acute renal failure.
What to do if myalgias occur while on statin?
IF MYALGIAS OCCUR
Hold statin, check CPK, investigate other possible causes.
After 2-4 weeks: re-challenge with same statin at same or↓ dose.
Most patients who did not toleratea statin will tolerate it when
re-challenged, or will tolerate a different statin.
If myalgias return, discontinue statin. Once muscle symptoms
resolve, use a low dose of a different statin; gradually ↑ dose.
Q: What are the significant drug interactions with statins, and how do they affect treatment?
A: Statin drug interactions, particularly those mediated by CYP enzymes (mainly CYP3A4), increase the risk of adverse effects like muscle damage. Atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are CYP3A4 substrates, while rosuvastatin and pravastatin have fewer interactions. Fibrates (especially gemfibrozil) and niacin can increase the risk of myopathies and rhabdomyolysis. Statins should not be used with gemfibrozil. Amlodipine can increase the concentration of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, so the maximum daily dose for these statins should be 20 mg/day.
Q: What are the options for non-statin add-on treatments when LDL remains above goal despite statin use?
A: If LDL remains high despite statin use, the statin dose should be maximized before adding other medications. Ezetimibe and PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9 MAbs) are recommended as initial add-ons due to their cardiovascular benefits. Ezetimibe may be preferred if less than 25% LDL lowering is needed due to cost and oral administration. PCSK9 MAbs are more expensive and injectable, used when greater LDL lowering is required. Other options include bempedoic acid and inclisiran, which lower LDL but lack cardiovascular outcome data, so they should be used after ezetimibe and PCSK9 MAbs. Fish oils and fibrates are used for high triglycerides, with icosapent ethyl recommended for ASCVD reduction in select patients. Bile acid sequestrants are rarely used, except when statins cannot be tolerated.
List of the diff HTN meds and where they work
BP … normal, elevated , stage 1 vs stage 2
Normal: SBP < 120 mmHg and DBP <80 mmHg
Elevated: SBP 120 - 129 mmHg and DBP < 80 mmHg
Hypertension:
Stage 1: SBP 130 – 139 mmHg or DBP 80 - 89 mmHg (start 1 drug)
Stage 2: SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg (start 2 drugs)
Thiazide - lsit of drugs, MOA, important things to note
Thiazide - inhibit Na reabsorption in distal convoluted tubule
- Increase excretion of Na, Cl, water, potassium
- Not effective when CrCl <30
- Take early in the day (not HS)
- Chlorthalidone
- HCTZ
- Chlorothiazide (IV is avalible in this one!)
- Indapamide, metolazone
- C/I: hypersensitivity reaction to sulfonamide drugs
- AE: decrease potassium, magnesium, sodium
- Increase: calcium, uric acid, LDL, TG, BG
- Photosensitivity, impotence
- DDI: NSAIDs (decrease effectiveness), decrease lithium clearance (toxic risk)
DHP CCBs (e.g., Amlodipine, Nicardipine, Nifedipine): indication, MOA, warning, C/I, AEs
- Indications: Hypertension (HTN), chronic stable angina, Prinzmetal angina, Raynaud’s disease
- MOA: Inhibit calcium from entering vascular smooth muscle, leading to peripheral arterial vasodilation
- Common Drugs: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Nicardipine IV (Cardene IV), Nifedipine ER (Adalat CC, Procardia XL - preferred in pregnancy)
- Warnings: Hypotension, reflex tachycardia
- Contraindications: Allergy to soy/eggs (for Clevidipine)
- Adverse Effects: Peripheral edema, headache (HA), flushing, palpitations, reflex tachycardia, gingival hyperplasia, hypertriglyceridemia (Clevidipine)
- Monitoring: Peripheral edema
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Important Notes:
- IR Nifedipine: Not recommended for chronic HTN or acute BP decrease; can cause profound hypotension.
- Clevidipine may cause infections, reflex tachycardia, and hypertriglyceridemia.
- Can be used in Raynaud’s disease to prevent peripheral vasoconstriction.
Non-DHP CCBs (e.g., Diltiazem, Verapamil) - Indication, MOA, AEs, DDI
- Indications: Control heart rate in arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation), hypertension
- MOA: More selective for the heart; decrease blood pressure and heart rate due to negative inotropic and chronotropic effects
- Common Drugs: Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), Verapamil (Calan SR)
- Warnings: Heart failure (can worsen symptoms), bradycardia
- Adverse Effects: Edema, constipation (especially with Verapamil), gingival hyperplasia
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Drug Interactions:
- Caution with beta-blockers, digoxin, clonidine, amiodarone
- Major 3A4 substrates (e.g., grapefruit juice)
- Diltiazem and Verapamil inhibit P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and 3A4
- Lower doses of simvastatin and lovastatin when using with Diltiazem/Verapamil
RAAS Inhibitors (ACEIs & ARBs)
Indications:
ACEIs & ARBs decrease chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression (by reducing albuminuria)
Protect the heart in heart failure (HF)
Mechanism of Action:
ACEIs block Angiotensin I → II conversion, decrease vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion, and bradykinin degradation (leading to cough).
ARBs block Angiotensin II binding to its receptor, preventing vasoconstriction.
Warnings:
Angioedema (potentially fatal) - avoid in patients with a history of angioedema.
ACEIs: Can cause cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, renal impairment, and worsen bilateral renal artery stenosis.
ARBs: Fewer incidents of cough and angioedema.
Contraindications:
- History of angioedema
- Within 36 hours of using Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan)
- Pregnancy (BBW: can cause injury or death to fetus)
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs can ↓ lithium renal clearance and ↑ the risk of lithium toxicity.
Potassium sparing diuretics
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Triamterene + HCTZ (dyazide, maxzide)
- Amiloride
- Eplerenone (Inspra)
- BBW: hyperkalemia (K>5.5)
- Contra: hyperkalemia, severe renal impairment, addison’s disease
- AE: hyperkalemia, increase SCr, dizzy
- Monitor: BP, renal function, fluids, s/sx of HF
- DDI: increase hyperkalemia risk, decrease lithium clearance (toxic risk)
Beta-Blockers for Hypertension
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Indications: Beta-blockers are not first-line for treating hypertension unless the patient has a comorbidity (e.g., post-MI, stable ischemic heart disease, heart failure).
- Preferred in heart failure: Bisoprolol, carvedilol, or metoprolol succinate.
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Mechanism of Action: Beta-blockers reduce blood pressure by blocking beta-1 and/or beta-2 adrenergic receptors, which decreases heart rate (HR) and myocardial contractility.
- Carvedilol & Labetalol: Beta-blockers with alpha-1 blocking properties, which reduce peripheral vasoconstriction.
- Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity (ISA): Beta-blockers like acebutolol, penbutolol, and pindolol partially stimulate beta receptors while blocking catecholamine effects. These do not reduce HR as effectively and are not recommended post-MI.
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Special Considerations:
- Bronchospastic disease (e.g., asthma, COPD): Prefer beta-1 selective agents to avoid bronchoconstriction.
Stable ischemic heart disease - TX
Drug tx
- Antiplatelet and antianginal
- Antiplatelet
- ASA, plavix
- Antianginal
- Decrease oxygen demand, increase oxygen supply
- BB, CCB, or longer acting nitrates
- Nitroglycerin SL = immediate relief
- High Dose statin
- Control BP (ACEI/ARB) (with CAD and DM)
- A - antiplatelet, antianginal
- B - BP and BB
- C - start statins and stop cigarettes
- D - diet and DM
- E - exercise and education
Antiplatelets - talk about ASA and Plavix MOA
Aspirin & Clopidogrel Mechanism of Action
- Aspirin: Irreversibly inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, reducing prostaglandin (PG) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) production. TXA2 promotes vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation.
- Clopidogrel: A prodrug that irreversibly inhibits P2Y12 ADP-mediated platelet activation and aggregation.
Clopidogrel Boxed Warning, Contraindications, and Warnings
- Boxed Warning: Clopidogrel is a prodrug; its effectiveness depends on conversion by CYP2C19. Poor metabolizers (identified by genetic testing) may have higher cardiovascular risk. Consider alternative treatments for poor metabolizers.
- Contraindications: Active serious bleeding (e.g., GI bleed, intracranial hemorrhage).
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Warnings:
- Bleeding risk (discontinue 5 days before surgery).
- Do not use with omeprazole or esomeprazole (see Drug Interactions).
- Premature discontinuation increases thrombosis risk.
- Risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
DAPT - duration for each procedure
- bare metal stent (at least 1mo)
- Drug-eluting stent (at least 6 mo)
- post -CABG (12mo)