Exam 3 Study Guide - Anti-dysrhymics

What is a common adverse effect of all antidysrhythmic drugs?

Prolongation of the QT interval, hypersensitive reactions, dizziness, headache and blurred vision

What is the QT interval?

Time needed to contract and then recover

What can a long QT lead to?

Torsades de Pointes

What can Torsades de Pointes cause?

Ventricular tachycardia

What is the cardiac formulation of Lidocaine used for?

Ventricular dysrhythmias

What body systems other than the cardiac system are affected by lidocaine?

Nervous system

What are the signs and symptoms of lidocaine toxicity?

Slurred or Difficult Speech

Altered Central Nervous System

Muscle Twitching

Seizures

What cardiac dysrhythmias is amiodarone used for?

Ventricular Tachycardia and V-fib

What drugs are contraindicated in pts taking Amiodarone and why?

Digoxin and Warfain - reduces doses

What is the black box warning for Amiodarone?

Toxic to lungs, causes dysrhytmias, and liver toxicity

Why do you use a loding dose for Amiodarone?

Since there is a long half-life, Amidarone needs a loading does to allow for initial therapeutic value of the drug to be met

What calcium channel blockers are frequently used to treat dysrhythmias?

Diltiazem and Verapamil

What are some non-pharmaceutrical methods to slow down a supraventricular tachycardia?

Vasalva maneuver, coughing, on an ice pack on the face

What hemodynamic changes do you have to monitor for if a pt is taking an anti-dysrthymic drug?

Peripheral edema, bradycardia, and skin flushing

What is Adenosine used for?

To convert supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm

How does Adenosine work?

Slows conduction through AV node

What is an adverse effect of Adenosine?

Causes asystole for a brief second

What are the two Antidysrthymic Drugs?

Lidocaine and Amidarone