Cardiovascular and Reproductive System Pharmacology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, mechanisms of action, therapeutic levels, and antidotes in cardiovascular and reproductive system pharmacology.

Inotropic Effect

Refers to the force or strength of heart contractions, where positive inotropic means stronger force and negative means weaker.

Chronotropic Effect

Refers to the heart rate or speed of the heartbeat, where negative chronotropic slows down the heart rate.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

A blood test measuring the time it takes for blood to clot, used to monitor Heparin therapy. Normal is $20\text{ to }35\,\text{seconds}$ and therapeutic level is $1.5\text{ to }2.5$ times normal ($50\text{ to }85\,\text{seconds}$).

Prothrombin Time (PT) / INR

Blood tests evaluating the extrinsic coagulation pathway, used to monitor Warfarin therapy. Therapeutic level is $1.5\text{ to }2.5$ times normal PT ($25\text{ to }30\,\text{seconds}$) or INR $2\text{ to }3$.

Tocolytic

Medications used to suppress or stop uterine contractions during premature labor.

Oxytocic

Agents that stimulate uterine smooth muscle contractions to induce labor or control postpartum bleeding.

Heparin

An anticoagulant administered SQ or IV that prevents thrombin from converting fibrinogen to fibrin.

Protamine sulfate

The specific antidote used to reverse the effects of Heparin.

Warfarin

An oral anticoagulant that acts as an antagonist to Vitamin K to prevent clot formation.

Vitamin K (Aquamephyton)

The antidote for Warfarin that directly counteracts its anticoagulant action.

Thrombolytics

Medications such as Streptokinase and Urokinase that activate plasminogen into plasmin to actively dissolve existing blood clots within $4\text{ to }6\,\text{hours}$ of MI onset.

Aminocaproic acid

The antidote used to reverse the effects of thrombolytic medications.

Antiplatelets

Medications such as Aspirin and Clopidogrel that inhibit platelet aggregation and extend bleeding time beyond normal ($1\text{ to }9\,\text{mins}$).

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

A cardiac glycoside that increases intracellular calcium, producing a positive inotropic and negative chronotropic action with a therapeutic range of $0.5\text{ to }2.0\,\text{ng/mL}$.

Digibind

The antidote for Digoxin toxicity, used alongside Phenytoin which treats Digoxin-induced arrhythmias.

Nitrates

Vasodilators such as Nitroglycerin and Isosorbide dinitrate that cause direct vasodilation of peripheral and coronary arteries.

ACE Inhibitors

Antihypertensives such as Captopril and Enalapril that inhibit the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II; common adverse effects include persistent dry cough and hyperkalemia.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Antihypertensives such as Nifedipine, Verapamil, and Amlodipine that decrease cardiac contractility and vascular smooth muscle tone.

Conjugated estrogen (Premarin) & Estradiol

Exogenous estrogens that promote vascular fluid retention and stimulate hormone-sensitive tissue growth; adverse effects include thromboembolism, endometrial cancer, and gallbladder disease.

Oxytocin & Methylergonovine

Uterine stimulants (oxytocics) that stimulate uterine smooth muscle contraction to induce labor or manage postpartum bleeding.

Terbutaline & Ritodrine

Uterine inhibitors (tocolytics) that stimulate Beta-2 receptors to relax uterine muscles, which can cross-stimulate Beta-1 receptors causing maternal and fetal tachycardia.

Bromocriptine

A dopamine receptor agonist lactation suppressant that lowers prolactin secretion.