Class 3 & Class 4 Antiarrhythmic Drugs

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Questions and Answers

What is the main effect of Class 3 antiarrhythmic drugs?

  • Prolongs phase 3 repolarization (correct)
  • Blocks sodium channels
  • Increases calcium ion influx
  • Decreases heart rate

Name one Class 3 antiarrhythmic drug.

Amiodarone

Which drugs are classified as Class 4 antiarrhythmics?

  • Dronedarone, Procainamide
  • Amiodarone, Sotalol
  • Verapamil, Diltiazem (correct)
  • Ibutilide, Dofetilide

Sotalol has both β-blocking and action potential prolonging actions.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Amiodarone can cause adverse effects on the ______, ______, and ______.

<p>lungs, thyroid, liver</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of non-dihydropyridine (NDHP) drugs?

<p>Effects mainly the heart</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dihydropyridine (DHP) drugs primarily affect the ______.

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

What is the mechanism of action of Verapamil?

<p>Decreases SA automaticity and AV conduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical application of Adenosine?

<p>Fixes paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the therapeutic use of Magnesium in relation to arrhythmias?

<p>Torsade de pointes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Atropine is used to treat bradycardia by producing a vagal block to increase heart rate.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs

  • Potassium (K+) channel blockers, prolong phase 3 repolarization, increasing QT interval.
  • Key drugs include Amiodarone, Ibutilide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, and Sotalol (AIDDS).
  • All can induce torsades de pointes; Amiodarone carries the lowest risk.

Class 4 Antiarrhythmic Drugs

  • Calcium (Ca2+) channel antagonists affecting cardiac function.
  • Causes decrease in SA nodal automaticity, AV nodal conduction, and ventricular contractility.
  • Primary drugs: Verapamil and Diltiazem.

Amiodarone

  • Multi-channel blocker impacting K+, Na+, and Ca2+.
  • Adverse effects include pulmonary toxicity, thyroid dysfunction, and liver damage; monitoring required every 3 months.

Ibutilide and Dofetilide

  • Class III K+ channel blockers indicated for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
  • Specifically block the rapid component (IKr) of the delayed rectifier K+ current, slowing repolarization.

Sotalol

  • Exhibits both β-blocking and action potential-prolonging properties.

Non-Dihydropyridine (NDHP) Drugs

  • Includes Verapamil and Diltiazem, primarily affecting the heart.
  • Induces vasodilation, resulting in lower blood pressure.

Dihydropyridine (DHP) Drug

  • Nifedipine is the primary example, mainly targeting the vasculature.
  • Not utilized as an antiarrhythmic agent.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

  • Have minimal impact on smooth muscle outside the cardiac context.
  • Skeletal muscle is not affected under conventional CCB treatment.
  • Reduce the responsiveness of Ca2+ channel pores to voltage depolarization.

Verapamil

  • Mechanism of Action: Reduces SA automaticity leading to decreased heart rate; slows AV conduction, increasing PR interval.
  • Ineffective on ventricular arrhythmias due to no impact on Na+ conduction.
  • Clinical Uses: Prevention and conversion of nodal arrhythmias (PSVT), rate control in atrial fibrillation.
  • Adverse Effects: Includes headache, flushing, dizziness, ankle edema, constipation, and potential exacerbation of heart failure.
  • Contraindications: Sick sinus syndrome, pre-existing AV nodal disease, WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia.

Adenosine

  • Treats paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), particularly reentry mechanisms involving accessory pathways.
  • Extremely short half-life (10-15 seconds); administered IV to central vein.
  • Activates A1 receptors in SA and AV nodes, opening K+ channels and facilitating K+ efflux.
  • Also activates A2 receptors in vasculature, leading to nitric oxide (NO) release through endothelial Ca2+ modulation.

Magnesium

  • Functions as a muscle relaxant.
  • Mechanism of Action: Acts as a cofactor for ATP-dependent enzymes and inhibits calcium channels.
  • Therapeutic Uses: Effective for torsades de pointes, perioperative atrial fibrillation, and digitalis-induced arrhythmias.

Atropine

  • Utilized for bradycardia treatment.
  • Functions by producing a vagal block to increase heart rate.

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