Antiarrhythmic Drugs and Vaughan-Williams Classification

A rapid increase in the heart rate.

A slow heart rate.

An irregular heart rhythm.

The process of returning the heart to a normal rhythm.

The process of slowing down a rapid heart rate.

Chemicals that control the movement of ions across the heart's cell membranes.

The process of a cell membrane returning to its resting state.

Antiarrhythmic drugs that block sodium channels, slowing the heart's electrical impulses.

A type of chest pain caused by reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Angina that occurs predictably with exertion or stress and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

Angina that occurs unpredictably, often at rest, and is more severe. It's a medical emergency as it can precede a heart attack.

A type of angina caused by coronary artery spasm, leading to transient ischemia, often occurring at rest. It can be thought of as a sudden tightening of the arteries.

Drugs that are used to treat angina by reducing the heart's demand for oxygen.

A common antianginal drug that helps to relax arteries and improve blood flow.

A type of antianginal drug that works by blocking beta receptors, slowing down the heart rate and decreasing contractility. This lowers the heart's need for oxygen.

A type of antianginal drug that works by blocking calcium channels, which helps widen the blood vessels and improve blood supply to the heart.

Beta-blockers decrease heart rate and contractility by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, primarily affecting the SA and AV nodes during Phase 4.

These drugs are used to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), control rate in atrial fibrillation, and control ventricular rate in other arrhythmias.

Potassium channel blockers prolong repolarization (Phase 3) by inhibiting potassium ion efflux, increasing the action potential duration and refractory period.

They are used to treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia by preventing reentrant arrhythmias.

Calcium channel blockers block L-type calcium channels, primarily affecting the SA and AV nodes and slowing conduction through the AV node.

They are effective for rate control in supraventricular arrhythmias, specifically atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and PSVT.

Adenosine is a short-acting agent used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by hyperpolarizing the AV node and briefly blocking conduction.

Digoxin enhances vagal tone, slowing conduction through the AV node. It is used for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and heart failure.

Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate, and Isosorbide mononitrate are examples. These medications are converted to nitric oxide (NO) in blood vessels, causing relaxation and widening of blood vessels.

Nitrates reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart (preload) and the resistance the heart has to pump against (afterload), reducing the heart's workload and lowering its need for oxygen.

Beta blockers, like Metoprolol, Atenolol, and Propranolol, block the effects of adrenaline on the heart, resulting in slower heartbeat, weaker contractions, and lower blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers are medications that block the entry of calcium into the heart and blood vessels, leading to relaxation of the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Dihydropyridines, such as Amlodipine, mainly relax blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload. Non-Dihydropyridines, including Verapamil and Diltiazem, both relax blood vessels and reduce heart rate and strength.

Ranolazine works by decreasing the flow of sodium into heart cells, thereby reducing the heart's need for calcium and reducing the workload on the heart.

Nitrates are effective in treating variant angina because they specifically relax blood vessels that have narrowed due to spasm.

Beta-blockers may worsen coronary vasospasm, thus they are not recommended for variant angina.

A medication used to treat chronic stable angina by slowing heart rate, reducing myocardial oxygen demand, and minimizing impact on heart muscle function.

These medications, like aspirin and clopidogrel, prevent blood clots from forming on atherosclerotic plaques, reducing the risk of heart attacks.

This class of medications, like atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis, stabilizing plaques and lowering heart attack risk.

This combination therapy for stable angina involves beta-blockers, which prevent tachycardia caused by nitrates.

For patients who cannot tolerate beta-blockers, this combination of nitrates and calcium channel blockers is a viable alternative for angina treatment.

First-line therapy for stable angina, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, can be augmented with nitrates, ranolazine, or ivabradine if needed.

For patients with unstable angina, aspirin and antiplatelet agents are crucial, and early use of nitrates and beta-blockers is recommended.

Nitrates and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are key for treating variant angina, a type of angina caused by coronary artery spasms.