Cardiovascular Pharmacology Flashcards
(272 cards)
What is the heart’s primary function?
The heart acts as a pump, circulating blood through the body’s vascular system.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s metabolic needs, often due to myocardial injury from ischemia, inflammation, or chronic hypertension.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is elevated due to increased blood volume or peripheral resistance.
What are arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats caused by disruptions in the heart’s electrical conduction system.
What are angina and myocardial infarction?
Angina is chest pain due to insufficient blood flow to the heart, while myocardial infarction occurs when heart tissue dies due to prolonged lack of oxygen.
What do thiazide diuretics do?
Thiazide diuretics reduce blood pressure by inhibiting sodium and chloride reabsorption in the distal tubule, increasing urine output.
What do loop diuretics do?
Loop diuretics inhibit chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending loop of Henle, causing significant diuresis and often used in emergencies.
What do potassium-sparing diuretics do?
Potassium-sparing diuretics enhance sodium excretion while retaining potassium, often used to counteract potassium loss from other diuretics.
How do central antiadrenergics work?
Central antiadrenergics reduce sympathetic outflow from the brain, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
How do peripheral antiadrenergics work?
Peripheral antiadrenergics deplete norepinephrine in nerve terminals, reducing vasoconstriction and heart rate.
What do ACE inhibitors do?
ACE inhibitors block the production of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, thereby reducing blood pressure.
How do thiazide diuretics work?
Thiazide diuretics inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption in the distal tubule, leading to mild diuresis and potential potassium loss.
Thiazide diuretics are commonly used to treat hypertension and edema.
What is the effect of loop diuretics?
Loop diuretics inhibit chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending loop of Henle, causing a high loss of potassium and water.
Loop diuretics are often used in cases of heart failure and renal impairment.
How do potassium-sparing diuretics work?
These diuretics enhance sodium and water excretion while retaining potassium, often used in combination with other diuretics to prevent hypokalemia.
Common potassium-sparing diuretics include spironolactone and eplerenone.
What do osmotic diuretics do?
Osmotic diuretics draw water into the urine without affecting ion secretion or absorption, used in acute conditions like brain edema.
Mannitol is a widely used osmotic diuretic.
How do central antiadrenergics work?
Central antiadrenergics reduce sympathetic outflow from the brain by activating inhibitory α2 receptors, promoting parasympathetic dominance.
Examples include clonidine and guanfacine.
What do peripheral antiadrenergics do?
Peripheral antiadrenergics prevent norepinephrine release from nerve terminals, reducing blood pressure by decreasing peripheral resistance.
These medications can be used in the treatment of hypertension.
What is the effect of alpha blockers?
Alpha blockers inhibit vasoconstriction by blocking α1 receptors, reducing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.
Common examples include prazosin and doxazosin.
How do beta blockers work?
Beta blockers prevent adrenergic stimulation of the heart by blocking β1 receptors, reducing heart rate and contractility.
They are often prescribed for hypertension and heart conditions.
What do vasodilators do?
Vasodilators widen blood vessels, reducing blood pressure by decreasing peripheral resistance.
Examples include hydralazine and nitroglycerin.
How do ACE inhibitors work?
ACE inhibitors suppress the synthesis of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, and may induce vasodilator production.
Common ACE inhibitors include lisinopril and enalapril.
How do ARBs work?
ARBs block the action of angiotensin II at its receptors, reducing vasoconstriction and blood pressure.
Examples include losartan and valsartan.
What is the mechanism of action of Lidocaine?
Na+ channel blockage, preferentially binds to Na+ channels in the deactivated state
What is a key indication for Lidocaine?
Acute ventricular arrhythmia secondary to myocardial infarction, digitalis toxicity, cardiac manipulation