Cardiovascular Medications Overview

Statins and Cholesterol Management

• Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin are used to manage hypercholesterolemia and prevent coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Ezetimibe also aids in lowering cholesterol levels.

Anticoagulants

• Rivaroxaban and Apixaban prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation by blocking the coagulation cascade.
• Clopidogrel is used to prevent myocardial infarction (MI) and strokes, especially in acute coronary syndrome and peripheral vascular disease by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Thrombolytics

• Alteplase, streptokinase, and reteplase dissolve clots, indicated for MI, strokes, and occluded central intravenous lines.

Emergency Medications

• Epinephrine treats anaphylaxis and is crucial in advanced cardiac life support, increasing heart rate and aiding in bronchodilation.
• Norepinephrine is used for shock and severe hypotension, causing vasoconstriction and increasing cardiac output.
• Dopamine is indicated for shock, sepsis, heart failure, and renal failure; it enhances vasoconstriction, cardiac output, heart rate, and renal perfusion.
• Dobutamine is specific for cardiogenic shock and heart failure, primarily increasing cardiac output.

Antihypertensives

• Captopril and Lisinopril are ACE inhibitors for hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and diabetic nephropathy, promoting vasodilation (not recommended during pregnancy).
• Calcium channel blockers like Verapamil, Nifedipine, and Diltiazem treat hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias while decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
• Metoprolol and Atenolol, as beta-blockers, are used for hypertension, angina, heart failure, arrhythmias, and MI, reducing blood pressure and heart rate.
• Clonidine decreases sympathetic outflow to lower blood pressure.

Additional Beta-Blockers

• Propranolol, Labetalol, and Carvedilol are effective in treating hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and MI, lowering blood pressure and heart rate (avoid in asthma patients).

Vasodilators

• Nitroprusside is deployed during hypertensive crises for its potent vasodilatory effects.
• Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate, and Isosorbide mononitrate are indicated for angina, providing vasodilation and lowering myocardial oxygen demand; contraindicated with sildenafil, and administration protocol includes taking up to 3 tablets under the tongue at 5-minute intervals.

Cardiac Glycosides

• Digoxin is employed in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter; administration is contraindicated if the pulse is less than a specified threshold.

This quiz covers various cardiovascular medications including their uses, mechanisms, and indications. Key drugs such as atorvastatin, clopidogrel, and epinephrine are discussed in the context of preventing conditions like hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarctions, and anaphylaxis. Test your knowledge on these essential pharmacological agents.