Overview of Cardiac Medications and Their Uses

nitrates

reduce myocardial oxygen demand by dilating blood vessels.

What are nitrates used for?

- Used for chest pain, HF, etc. Ex: nitroglycerin and isosorbide

Sodium channel blockers

treat irregular heartbeats by slowing conduction speed.

What are sodium channel blockers used for?

- Used for atrial/ventricular arrhythmias, tachycardia, etc. Ex: Lidocaine and procainamide

Beta-blockers

reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

What are beta-blockers used for?

- Used for hypertension, ACS/angina, atrial fibrillation

- Ex: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol, and Carvedilol

All end in LOL

Potassium channel blockers

prolonged cardiac action potential.

What are potassium channel blockers used for?

- Used for atrial flutter/fib, tachycardia

- Ex: Aminodrone, dronedarone

All end in ONE

Calcium channel blockers

reduce HR, contractility, and vasoconstriction.

What are calcium blockers used for?

- Used for hypertension, ACS, HF

- Ex: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, diltiazem, and verapamil

ACE inhibitors

reduces after load and preload by vasodilation.

What are ACE inhibitors used for?

- Used for hypertension, HF, and post MI.

- Ex: lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril, and captopril.

All end in PRIL

Anticoagulants

prevents clot formation by preventing new clots.

What are anticoagulants used for?

- Used for atrial fibrillation, post surgery, MI prevention.

- Ex: warfarin, xareito, pradaxa, eliquis, heparin and lovenox.

Antiplatelets

prevents platelets from sticking together and forming clots.

What are antiplatelets used for?

- Used for atrial fibrillation, DVT, post surgery, etc.

- Ex: plavix and brilinta.

What is Atropine used for?

- used to speed up the heart rate when it is decreasing/bradycardic