Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy Quiz

What is the main cause of stable angina?

What is the typical characteristic of anginal pain?

What is the aim of treatment for stable angina?

Which medication is commonly used for prophylactic treatment of stable angina?

Which medication is used in acute treatment of coronary artery disease and MI?

What is the potential consequence of too frequent use of organic nitrates?

Which adverse drug reaction may occur with organic nitrates?

Why may drugs with first-pass metabolism need larger doses if administered orally?

What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) like amlodipine and verapamil?

What are the adverse drug reactions associated with calcium channel blockers (CCBs)?

How do beta blockers like propranolol and atenolol affect the heart?

What adverse drug reaction may occur with beta blockers?

Why should beta blockers be taken regularly and not for acute attacks?

What is a contraindication for beta blockers?

Which medication should not be used with PDE5 inhibitors due to the potential for severe hypotension and cardiovascular collapse?

What is the potential consequence of too frequent use of organic nitrates?

Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy Overview

Plasminogen activators, including alteplase, reteplase, and tenecteplase, convert plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin, and are used in acute treatment of coronary artery disease and MI.
Organic nitrates like glyceryl trinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate are used in both acute and prophylactic treatment of stable angina to increase cGMP levels, producing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation.
Tolerance to organic nitrates can occur with too frequent use, leading to reduced therapeutic effect.
Adverse drug reactions to organic nitrates may include dizziness, postural hypotension, and headache, with potential drug interactions with PDE5 inhibitors.
Drugs with first-pass metabolism, like glyceryl trinitrate, need larger doses if administered orally and may be inactive in that form.
Organic nitrates should not be used with PDE5 inhibitors due to the potential for severe hypotension and cardiovascular collapse.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) like amlodipine and verapamil bind to the alpha1 subunit of the VGCC L-type, blocking calcium entry into the cell and producing vasodilation, reducing peripheral resistance and afterload.
CCBs are used for prophylactic treatment of angina and may cause hypotension, headaches, and peripheral edema as adverse drug reactions.
Beta blockers like propranolol and atenolol reduce the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart, reducing heart rate, contractility, and cardiac work, and are used to treat angina, hypertension, and other conditions.
Adverse drug reactions to beta blockers may include wheezing, bradycardia, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, with potential drug interactions.
Beta blockers should be taken regularly and not for acute attacks, and abrupt withdrawal may be dangerous, resulting in severe angina, arrhythmias, MI, and rebound hypertension.
Beta blockers are contraindicated in patients with asthma and may impact diabetes management.

Test your knowledge of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy with this quiz. Explore the uses, mechanisms, and adverse reactions of drugs like plasminogen activators, organic nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers in the treatment of coronary artery disease, stable angina, and hypertension.