Cardiovascular Drugs - Module 7

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to a range of heart conditions that involve a sudden blockage of a coronary artery, leading to damage or death of heart muscle. This includes unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

A plaque, a fatty deposit, breaks or erodes in a coronary artery, leading to a cascade of clotting events. This creates a blood clot, blocking the artery and stopping blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle.

A mnemonic acronym used to remember the initial medical treatment options for a patient with ACS: Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, Aspirin. However, the drugs aren't administered in this order, but in the order of OANM.

Oxygen is provided to a patient whose oxygen saturation level is below 94%. It helps ensure adequate oxygen supply to the heart.

Aspirin (160-325 mg) is given orally, preferably in a chewable form for faster absorption. Aspirin slows down platelet clumping, reducing the risk of further blockages or re-blockages in the coronary artery, thus decreasing the chances of another heart attack.

Nitroglycerin (0.4 mg) is given sublingually (under the tongue) through a spray or dissolvable tablet. It helps relieve chest pain by dilating the blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. It can be repeated every 5 minutes, as there is no maximum dose.

Nitroglycerin works by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in blood vessels, including the coronary arteries, which widens the arteries and improves blood flow to the heart muscle. This reduces the work the heart has to do, and thus the oxygen demand.

Morphine is given to reduce pain and anxiety in patients with ACS. It also helps decrease the heart's workload and oxygen demand.

A type of medication that helps relieve chest pain (angina) by widening blood vessels and reducing the workload of the heart. It comes in various forms, including sublingual tablets, sprays, and intravenous infusions. Used for acute chest pain, but continuous monitoring is crucial due to its vasodilating effects and its potential to lower blood pressure.

A strong painkiller commonly used to treat chest pain (angina). Additionally, it helps open veins, reducing the pressure on the heart and thus lessening its workload. However, it can lower blood pressure, so close monitoring is essential.

A class of drugs that help lower blood pressure by blocking the effects of specific receptors (alpha-1 receptors) responsible for blood vessel constriction.

A group of drugs that lower blood pressure efficiently by interfering with the process of converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a powerful vasoconstrictor. They have names typically ending in 'prils.'

A class of medication used to lower blood pressure by blocking a specific receptor (angiotensin II receptor). These drugs have names often ending in 'sartans.'

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are medications used in patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors. They block the effects of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure, thus helping to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart.

Diuretics are medications that help reduce excess fluid in the body by increasing urine production. They are sometimes prescribed for patients with heart failure to prevent fluid buildup and worsen symptoms.

Antihyperlipidemic drugs, like statins, help manage cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup in blood vessels. They stabilize these plaques, decreasing the risk of clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

An antiplatelet medication like aspirin, prevents platelets from clumping together, which can block arteries. Clopidogrel is another antiplatelet drug used for heart attacks and strokes.

These drugs are used for patients who struggle to tolerate ACE inhibitor medication. They work by blocking the effects of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure.

These medications increase urine production, reducing excess fluid in the body. Fluid buildup can worsen heart failure symptoms.

Antihyperlipidemic drugs like statins lower cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup in arteries. This helps prevent clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Antiplatelet medication, like aspirin, prevents platelets from clumping together, which can block arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes.

A medication that inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking the integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, preventing the final common pathway of platelet aggregation.

Clopidogrel is a medication that inhibits a specific site on the platelet, preventing it from binding to other platelets. Its effect lasts for the platelet's lifespan, making it a powerful anticoagulant.

Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are anticoagulants that inhibit thrombin, preventing fibrin formation and inhibiting platelet activation.

Fibrinolytics are drugs that dissolve blood clots in arteries and veins, restoring blood flow and preventing damage to the heart tissue.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure where a catheter with a balloon is inserted into the blocked coronary artery to open it up and restore blood flow.

Pharmacologic reperfusion and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are the two main strategies for restoring blood flow to the heart in STEMI patients.

The gold standard for treating STEMI is reperfusion therapy, aimed at restoring blood flow to the heart muscle.

The use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors has been shown to reduce the incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and the need for revascularization in patients.