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Questions and Answers
Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs is primarily known for blocking sodium channels and prolonging action potential duration?
Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs is primarily known for blocking sodium channels and prolonging action potential duration?
Which antiarrhythmic drug is indicated for severe ventricular arrhythmias?
Which antiarrhythmic drug is indicated for severe ventricular arrhythmias?
What is the primary action of Class III antiarrhythmic drugs?
What is the primary action of Class III antiarrhythmic drugs?
Which of the following drugs has minimal to no effect on action potential duration and has a slow binding profile?
Which of the following drugs has minimal to no effect on action potential duration and has a slow binding profile?
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Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs is primarily associated with reducing beta adrenergic activity in the heart?
Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs is primarily associated with reducing beta adrenergic activity in the heart?
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What is the primary mechanism of action of Quinidine in treating arrhythmias?
What is the primary mechanism of action of Quinidine in treating arrhythmias?
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Which statement about Class Ic antiarrhythmic drugs is accurate?
Which statement about Class Ic antiarrhythmic drugs is accurate?
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What is a major clinical concern associated with Sotalol as a Class III antiarrhythmic?
What is a major clinical concern associated with Sotalol as a Class III antiarrhythmic?
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How do beta blockers function in the context of treating arrhythmias?
How do beta blockers function in the context of treating arrhythmias?
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What distinguishes Class Ib antiarrhythmic drugs from other classes?
What distinguishes Class Ib antiarrhythmic drugs from other classes?
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Which of the following is NOT classified as an arrhythmia?
Which of the following is NOT classified as an arrhythmia?
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What distinguishes atrial flutter from atrial fibrillation?
What distinguishes atrial flutter from atrial fibrillation?
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Which of the following factors can cause an arrhythmia?
Which of the following factors can cause an arrhythmia?
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In the context of cardiac action potentials, which statement is true?
In the context of cardiac action potentials, which statement is true?
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Which mechanism is NOT associated with arrhythmias?
Which mechanism is NOT associated with arrhythmias?
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Torsade de pointes is typically characterized by which of the following?
Torsade de pointes is typically characterized by which of the following?
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In terms of cardiac cell ion flux, what is true?
In terms of cardiac cell ion flux, what is true?
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Ohm's Law in relation to cardiac arrhythmias is relevant for understanding what concept?
Ohm's Law in relation to cardiac arrhythmias is relevant for understanding what concept?
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What is the primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node in the cardiac conduction system?
What is the primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node in the cardiac conduction system?
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Which antiarrhythmic drug is indicated for maintaining normal sinus rhythm in patients with heart failure?
Which antiarrhythmic drug is indicated for maintaining normal sinus rhythm in patients with heart failure?
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Which part of the heart's electrical system is referred to as the 'natural pacemaker'?
Which part of the heart's electrical system is referred to as the 'natural pacemaker'?
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What is the primary use of Amiodarone in arrhythmias?
What is the primary use of Amiodarone in arrhythmias?
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Which side effect is most commonly associated with Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs?
Which side effect is most commonly associated with Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs?
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In the context of antiarrhythmic therapy, what is a critical consideration before initiating treatment?
In the context of antiarrhythmic therapy, what is a critical consideration before initiating treatment?
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What significant toxicity is associated with the use of Verapamil, a Class IV drug?
What significant toxicity is associated with the use of Verapamil, a Class IV drug?
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Which part of the cardiac conduction system initiates the conduction of an electrical signal?
Which part of the cardiac conduction system initiates the conduction of an electrical signal?
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During which phase of the action potential do Class I drugs primarily act?
During which phase of the action potential do Class I drugs primarily act?
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Which ion concentration is significantly higher extracellularly compared to intracellularly in cardiac cells?
Which ion concentration is significantly higher extracellularly compared to intracellularly in cardiac cells?
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What is the primary consequence of abnormal automaticity in the heart?
What is the primary consequence of abnormal automaticity in the heart?
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Which of the following ions is primarily responsible for the plateau phase in cardiac action potentials?
Which of the following ions is primarily responsible for the plateau phase in cardiac action potentials?
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What is the role of the His-Purkinje system in the heart?
What is the role of the His-Purkinje system in the heart?
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What characterizes Class III drugs in relation to cardiac action potentials?
What characterizes Class III drugs in relation to cardiac action potentials?
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What drugs are well tolerated in heart failure (reduced ejection volume) and have the ability to convert or prevent atrial fibrillation?
What drugs are well tolerated in heart failure (reduced ejection volume) and have the ability to convert or prevent atrial fibrillation?
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What is used to reverse digoxin-induced arrhythmias?
What is used to reverse digoxin-induced arrhythmias?
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What may precipitate torsade de pointes arrhythmia?
What may precipitate torsade de pointes arrhythmia?
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What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of adenosine?
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of adenosine?
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What is the importance of magnesium?
What is the importance of magnesium?
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What can hypokalemia induce?
What can hypokalemia induce?
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Match each drug glass to its indications
Match each drug glass to its indications
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Match each drug class to its indiciations
Match each drug class to its indiciations
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Study Notes
Pharmacology II - Chapter 14 Antiarrhythmics
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Case Study 1:
- 69-year-old female with a one-month history of palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Hypertension history.
- ECG shows atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response of 122 bpm.
- Echocardiogram reveals a 38% left ventricular ejection fraction.
- Rhythm reverted to normal after seven days of metoprolol treatment.
- Patient still experiences atrial fibrillation paroxysms.
- Question: What antiarrhythmic drug is appropriate for maintaining a normal sinus rhythm?
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Case Study 2:
- A drug well-tolerated in heart failure (reduced ejection volume) and with the ability to convert or prevent atrial fibrillation is required.
- Possible drug options: amiodarone or dofetilide.
Normal Cardiac Rhythm
- Sinoatrial (SA) node initiates electrical impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute.
- Impulse spreads through the atria and then to the atrioventricular (AV) node.
- Impulse travels through the His-Purkinje fibers to the ventricles.
- Ventricles contract.
Cardiac Conduction System
- SA node (pacemaker) located in the right atrium.
- Electrical impulses generated by the SA node.
- AV node located between the atria and ventricles, acting as an electrical bridge.
- His-Purkinje system composed of His bundle, right bundle branch, left bundle branch, and Purkinje fibers.
Mechanisms of Arrhythmias
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Abnormal automaticity or reentrant conduction.
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Examples of arrhythmias include atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, AV nodal reentry, premature ventricular beats (PVBs), ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
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Arrhythmia causes:
- Abnormal site of impulse origin
- Change from normal in rate or regulatory control
- Change in conduction velocity
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Cardiac cell electrical potential controlled by ion flux through cell pores/gates.
Action Potential Phases (Cardiac Cell)
- Phase 0: Rapid depolarization.
- Phase 1: Early-fast repolarization.
- Phase 2: Plateau.
- Phase 3: Repolarization.
- Phase 4: Diastole, resting potential.
ECG/EKG
- P wave: Atrial depolarization.
- QRS complex: Ventricular depolarization.
- T wave: Ventricular repolarization.
- PR interval: Conduction time from atrium to ventricle.
- QRS duration: Time required for ventricular activation (intraventricular conduction time).
- QT interval: Reflects the duration of the ventricular action potential.
Table 1: Antiarrhythmic Drugs
- Includes different drug classes (1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, 4) and their corresponding drugs, like quinidine, lidocaine, flecainide, esmolol, amiodarone, sotalol
- Provides specific indications for each drug class.
Mechanisms of Antiarrhythmic Drugs
- Block sodium channels.
- Block sympathetic autonomic effects.
- Prolongation of refractory period.
- Block calcium channels.
Classes of Antiarrhythmic Drugs
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Class I: Sodium channel blockers (Ia, Ib, Ic).
- Local anesthetics.
- Vary in binding affinity to sodium channels.
- Prolongation or shortening of action potential duration.
- Class II: Beta-blockers (reduce beta adrenergic activity in the heart).
- Class III: Potassium channel blockers (prolong action potential duration).
- Class IV: Calcium channel blockers (block calcium currents).
Additional Antiarrhythmic Drugs
- Adenosine (endogenous and used in high doses for AV nodal arrhythmias).
- Magnesium (less specific class designation and mechanism of action)
Principles in Clinical Use of Antiarrhythmic Agents
- Eliminate underlying causes, such as electrolyte imbalances or drug interactions.
- Accurately diagnose the arrhythmia.
- Assess baseline conditions of the patient (e.g., heart failure, other cardiac diseases).
- Question the necessity for drug therapy.
Specific Drugs (detailed information)
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Quinidine:
- Class Ia sodium channel blocker.
- Prolonged QRS duration.
- Major cardiac effects: QT interval prolongation, induction of Torsade de Pointes arrhythmia, and syncope.
- Extraction of quinine from cinchona bark led to quinidine discovery.
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Procainamide: Hypotension and lupus erythematosus (L. wolf)
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Lidocaine: Used in acute ventricular arrhythmias caused by ischemia following MI. High first-pass effect.
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Amiodarone: Used for a broad spectrum of arrhythmias. High toxicity. Deposits in cornea and skin. Causes thyroid dysfunction.
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Esmolol: Used IV only for acute arrhythmias.
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Propranolol, metoprolol, timolol: Used as prophylactic drugs in patients following MI.
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Sotalol: High toxicity. May precipitate torsades de pointes arrhythmia.
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Flecainide: Used for both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. High mortality rates.
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Verapamil: Key toxicity is constipation, nausea, flushing, and dizziness. Can lead to heart failure.
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Adenosine: Slows or blocks conduction. Blocks AV nodal arrhythmias.
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Description
Explore key concepts in antiarrhythmic pharmacology through case studies. This quiz covers the mechanisms and options for maintaining normal sinus rhythm, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. Test your knowledge on drug choices and cardiac rhythms.