Pharmacology of Cardiac Agents

Study Notes

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure (BP).
BP is defined in adults as greater than or equal to 140 mmHg systolic pressure, or greater than or equal to 90 mmHg diastolic pressure.
Hypertension can cause increased arteriolar resistance and reduced venous system capacitance due to increased tone of peripheral vascular arteriolar smooth muscle.

Controllable risk factors: obesity, sodium intake, alcohol, lack of exercise, stress
Uncontrollable risk factors: age, race, heredity

Non-pharmacological: reduction of weight, restriction of salt, moderation of alcohol use, eating healthy foods
Pharmacological: diuretics, beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonist, alpha-adrenergic blockers, vasodilators, centrally acting agents

Diuretics are drugs that promote a net loss of sodium ions and water from the body, increasing urine flow.
Different diuretics act at different sites of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney.
Main uses are for clinical management of disorders involving abnormal fluid distribution, such as hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, peripheral edema, and acute renal failure.
Types of diuretics include thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, K+ sparing diuretics, osmotic diuretics, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Acute coronary syndrome is an emergency from plaque rupture and partial/complete coronary artery thrombosis.
If the thrombus occludes most of the blood vessel, untreated necrosis of the cardiac muscle can result, causing myocardial infarction (MI).

Anticoagulants either inhibit the action of coagulation factors (e.g., heparin) or interfere with their synthesis (e.g., vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin).

Thrombolytics are available by intravenous administration for treating coronary artery thrombosis associated with myocardial infarction.
Adverse effects include serious bleeding and arrhythmia.