L18. Pharmacology -- Pharmacological Regulation of Cardiac Function
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L18. Pharmacology -- Pharmacological Regulation of Cardiac Function

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) in cardiac cells?

  • To facilitate troponin activation for muscle contraction
  • To promote calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
  • To sequester calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (correct)
  • To increase calcium influx from extracellular space
  • How does sympathetic stimulation affect the L type calcium channels?

  • It inhibits their function, decreasing calcium influx
  • It phosphorylates other proteins to decrease channel activity
  • It phosphorylates them, increasing calcium current (correct)
  • It has no effect on their activation
  • What role does Protein Kinase A (PKA) play in cardiac muscle contraction?

  • It directly induces muscle contraction by activating Troponin C
  • It promotes the opening of potassium channels
  • It reduces intracellular cAMP levels
  • It phosphorylates phospholamban, enhancing calcium reuptake (correct)
  • What effect does calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) have on muscle contraction?

    <p>It increases the strength of the muscle contraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of phosphorylation of Troponin I in cardiac muscle?

    <p>It increases calcium sensitivity of Troponin C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influences the conduction velocity of action potentials in the heart?

    <p>Increased intracellular cAMP levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological effect is primarily achieved through sympathetic stimulation in the heart?

    <p>Increased force of contraction and heart rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mechanism is responsible for the extruding calcium from the cardiac cell?

    <p>Sodium-calcium exchange pump</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the phosphorylation of Troponin I have on myocyte relaxation?

    <p>It impairs the interaction with Troponin C.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following β-adrenergic agonists is selective for the β1 subtype?

    <p>Dobutamine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in cardiac myocytes?

    <p>To hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a negative effect of non-selective β-adrenergic blockers such as propranolol?

    <p>Negative inotropic and chronotropic effects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug is used to inhibit PDE3 and enhance cardiac contractility?

    <p>Milrinone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary effect of calcium channel blockers like Verapamil and Diltiazem on cardiac myocytes?

    <p>Reduce action potential duration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about PDE3 is correct?

    <p>PDE3 regulates intracellular cAMP in the heart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mechanism by which adrenergic agonists affect heart function?

    <p>Stimulation of Gs proteins to increase cAMP.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason Digoxin can lead to toxicity at low serum concentrations?

    <p>It has a narrow therapeutic index.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does hypokalemia have on Digoxin's potency and toxicity?

    <p>It magnifies Digoxin's potency and toxicity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of NCX in the context of delayed afterdepolarizations?

    <p>It translocates calcium ions out of the cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation is commonly associated with drugs that mobilize intracellular calcium?

    <p>They can facilitate cardiac remodeling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism does Pimovendan utilize to affect cardiac myofilaments?

    <p>Sensitization to intracellular calcium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was the development of Pimovendan in the US discontinued?

    <p>It increased mortality in clinical trials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug increases cardiac contractility by binding to troponin C?

    <p>Levosimendan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common consequence of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum when Digoxin is present?

    <p>Arrhythmias due to delayed afterdepolarizations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary aim of heart failure therapy in relation to pathological remodeling?

    <p>To block the remodeling process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following drug classes is NOT indicated for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?

    <p>Calcium Channel Blockers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism is primarily targeted by Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) in heart failure treatment?

    <p>Regulating blood pressure through hormonal pathways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SGLT2 inhibitors have shown effectiveness in treating heart failure independent of what specific condition?

    <p>Diabetes or sugar level control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which combination of treatments is highlighted for its potential effectiveness in heart failure therapy?

    <p>ARB and neprilysin inhibitor combination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs) play in heart failure management?

    <p>They prevent pathological changes in vascular remodeling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of heart failure does ongoing activation of historical compensatory mechanisms lead to?

    <p>Maladaptive responses and complications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug class is specifically recommended for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?

    <p>Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does calcium play beyond being a charge carrying ion in the heart?

    <p>Calcium serves as a second messenger linking membrane events to intracellular processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism by which sympathetic stimulation affects cardiac function?

    <p>It enhances calcium influx through L-type calcium channels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which class of drugs is primarily used to block calcium channels in the heart?

    <p>Calcium channel blockers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the T tubules in cardiac contractions?

    <p>They propagate the cardiac action potential and facilitate calcium channel activation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do cardiac glycosides function in the regulation of heart function?

    <p>They increase intracellular calcium concentrations by inhibiting sodium-potassium ATPase.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism through which calcium sensitizers affect cardiac contractility?

    <p>They enhance the interaction between calcium and contractile proteins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phase of the cardiac action potential is primarily responsible for calcium influx?

    <p>Phase 2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of heart failure, what is a critical pharmacological goal?

    <p>To improve the contractility of the heart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction

    • Cardiac action potential and contractility are important for treating heart failure.

    Excitation-Contraction Coupling in the Heart

    • Calcium influx during phases 2 and 3 of the cardiac action potential is crucial.
    • Calcium acts as a second messenger linking membrane depolarization to contraction.
    • L-type calcium channels are activated by action potentials, triggering calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).
    • Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) leads to a transient increase in intracellular calcium, activating troponin C and initiating muscle contraction.
    • Calcium is returned to the SR by SERCA (sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase) and extruded from the cell by NCX (sodium-calcium exchange pump).

    Sympathetic Regulation of Cardiac Calcium Channels

    • Sympathetic stimulation increases heart contractility (inotropic effect) and heart rate (chronotropic effect).
    • Sympathetic stimulation activates β-adrenergic receptors.
    • β-adrenergic receptors act via Gs and adenylate cyclase to increase intracellular cAMP.
    • cAMP activates Protein Kinase A (PKA) which phosphorylates L-type calcium channels leading to:
      • Increased calcium current.
      • Increased rate of rise of the action potential.
      • Increased conduction velocity of the action potential.
    • PKA also phosphorylates phospholamban and troponin I, increasing the rate of relaxation of the myocytes, further supporting the increased heart rate.

    Pharmacological Regulation of Heart Function

    • Adrenergic Mechanisms:
      • Beta-adrenergic agonists (e.g., isoproterenol, dobutamine) increase both heart rate and contractility.
      • Beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol) decrease both heart rate and contractility.
      • PDE3 inhibitors (e.g., milrinone) potentiate downstream beta receptor stimulation, regulating heart rate and contractility.

    Calcium Channel Blockers

    • Calcium channel blockers target L-type calcium channels on the plasma membrane.
    • Examples include: Verapamil, Diltiazem, and dihydropyridines (e.g. Nifedipine, Amlodipine)
    • Effects:
      • Reduce calcium influx, thus limiting the force of contraction.
      • Reduce the duration of the action potential.

    Cardiac Glycosides

    • Cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin) inhibit the Na+/K+ ATPase.
    • Digoxin binds to the potassium binding site, increasing its potency in cases of hypokalemia.
    • Cardiac glycosides can cause delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and triggered arrhythmias by overfilling the SR with calcium and activating NCX.

    Beyond Calcium

    • Calcium sensitizers potentiate the effect of calcium on the contractile apparatus.
    • Examples include:
      • Pimobendan: inhibits PDE3 and sensitizes cardiac myofilaments to intracellular calcium, but is associated with increased mortality.
      • Levosimendan: increases cardiac contractility by binding troponin C and activating KATP channels.

    Treatment of Heart Failure

    • Heart failure treatment primarily focuses on:
      • Blocking pathological remodeling.
      • Targeting the vasculature and kidneys.
    • Major drug classes:
      • ACE inhibitors
      • ARBs
      • ARNi (ARB + neprilysin inhibitor)
      • Beta Blockers
      • MRAs
      • SGLT2 inhibitors
    • SGLT2 inhibitors are effective for both HFrEF and HFpEF and are recommended in AHA guidelines.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on cardiac action potential and its role in contractility. This quiz covers topics such as excitation-contraction coupling, calcium's function in heart muscle contraction, and the impact of sympathetic stimulation on heart function. Prepare to explore key physiological concepts critical for understanding heart mechanics.

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