farmaka Flashcards
(108 cards)
A patient is diagnosed with essential hypertension. He wants to know his treatment options. What medication(s) can you offer him?
Thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers
In what circumstance is a β-blocker contraindicated in a heart failure patient?
In cardiogenic shock, and moreover, β-blockers must be used with caution in decompensated HF
A diabetic patient is also found to have essential hypertension. He takes a thiamine diuretic. Should you change him to another agent?
Yes, consider switching him to ACE inhibitors or ARBs, as a thiamine diuretic is protective against diabetic nephropathy
What are the treatment options for hypertension in diabetic patients?
ACE inhibitors/ARBs (both are protective against diabetic nephropathy), Ca2+ channel blockers, thiazide diuretics, β-blockers
A pregnant woman is found to have hypertension. What are the treatment options available for her hypertension?
Hydralazine, labetalol, methyldopa, nifedipine
You want to start a patient on a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. What adverse effects is your patient at risk for?
AV block and hyperprolactinemia (specific side effect of verapamil)
A 65-year-old man is started on nifedipine for his hypertension. What is the mechanism of action?
Like other calcium channel blockers, it blocks the L-type calcium channel in cardiac and smooth muscle, which reduces muscle contractility
A patient is started on antihypertensives. He soon returns with swollen ankles and flushing. What class of medication was he prescribed?
Calcium channel blockers, as peripheral edema is a possible side effect
What are the clinical indications for the use of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers?
Hypertension, angina, atrial fibrillation/flutter
A patient suffers head trauma and develops a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Why is it beneficial to give this patient a calcium channel blocker?
The calcium channel blocker nimodipine can help prevent cerebral vasospasms
Which calcium channel blocker is used for hypertensive urgency or emergency?
Clevidipine
Rank the relative activity of the following calcium channel blockers on vascular smooth muscle: verapamil, nifedipine, amlodipine, diltiazem
Verapamil (verapamil = ventricle), diltiazem, amlodipine = nifedipine
A patient suddenly enters atrial fibrillation. Their HR is 150, RR 14, and BP 80/60. Why are you cautious about starting a diltiazem drip?
While Ca2+ channel blockers slow AV node conduction, they also reduce both cardiac output and blood pressure
Which calcium channel blockers are most selective for vascular smooth muscle? Which one agent is most cardioselective?
Nifedipine or amlodipine (dihydropyridines); verapamil
What are the clinical indications for the use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, other than nimodipine and clevidipine?
Hypertension, angina (including Prinzmetal angina), Raynaud phenomenon
You want to start a patient on a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. What adverse effects is your patient at risk for?
Cardiac depression, peripheral edema, flushing, dizziness, constipation, gingival hyperplasia
Which does hydralazine reduce: afterload or preload? Which vessels does it dilate more: veins or arterioles?
Afterload; arterioles
Hydralazine causes smooth muscle relaxation by increasing concentrations of which substance in endothelial cells?
cGMP
A man has side effects from hydralazine. What autoimmune complication might this mimic? Is he likely to have fluid retention or excretion?
Systemic lupus erythematosus; fluid retention
A 68-year-old man with chronic hypertension recently had a cardiac stent placement. Why is hydralazine contraindicated in this patient?
Hydralazine is contraindicated in angina and coronary artery disease, because it causes a drop in BP that induces compensatory tachycardia
A 40-year-old woman with chronic hypertension has a positive pregnancy test. What is the first-line hypertensive therapy for her?
Hydralazine, which is safe to use during pregnancy
How can the reflex tachycardia that is associated with hydralazine be prevented?
By administering hydralazine with a β-blocker
What are the clinical indications for hydralazine?
Severe hypertension (particularly acute), heart failure (administer with organic nitrate)
Name some medications that can be used to treat a hypertensive emergency.
Nitroprusside, nicardipine, clevidipine, fenoldopam, labetalol