Veterinary Cardiology Drugs

Flashcards for veterinary cardiology drugs, including positive inotropic drugs, antiarrhythmics, vasodilators, diuretics, and aspirin.

Positive Inotropic Drugs

Stimulate the heart and increase the strength of cardiac muscle contractions.

Cardiac Glycosides

Blocks the enzyme that reduces Ca ions pumped out to allow for more depolarization.

Digoxin

Only Cardiac Glycoside drug.

Catecholamines

Act on beta receptors to mimic the sympathetic nervous system response.

Epinephrine

IV injection only when heart is stopped.

Dopamine/Dobutamine

Slow CRI’s given while heart is beating.

Benzimidazole Pyridazinones

Positive inotropic drugs negative chronotropic, side effects includes anorexia, lethargy and diarrhea.

Pimodendan

Benzimidazole Pyridazinone drug.

Methylxanthines

Mild positive inotropic effect, Bronchodialation, used to treat CHF.

Theophylline (human) or Aminophylline (animal)

Methylxanthines.

Antiarrhythmics

Correct irregular heartbeats and slow abnormally fast ones using electrical currents or ion channels.

Class IA

Reduce the electrical sensitivity of the heart cells.

Quindine

Class IA Antiarrhythmic.

Procainamide

Class IA Antiarrhythmic.

Class IB

Stabilize myocardial cell membranes by blocking sodium entry, and delaying depolarization.

Lidocaine

Used IV in emergencies, Neat should be used in bolus or CRI only, also used as a local anesthetic.

Class II: Beta blockers

Blocks the sympathetic nervous systems effect on the heart, negative inotrope and chronotropes.

Pronaolol, Atenolol, (other -ols)

Class II Beta blockers.

Class IV: Calcium-channel Blockers

Blocks the calcium channel into the cardiac cell membranes to depress the contraction mechanism of the heart, treats hypertension and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Amlodipine

Class IV, treats hypertension in renal failure by relaxing heart cells, tablet.

Diltiazem

Class IV, treats hypertrophic myopathy in cats, tablet.

Vasodilator Drugs

Dilates arteries or veins or both to decrease afterload, only used short term.

Hydralazine

Artiolar dilator, reduces peripheral resistance to improve CO, may cause hypotension or vomiting.

Nitroglycerin

Venodialator, reduces preload, need to wear gloves for topical application.

Prazosin

Dilates all vessels, lowers BP, and treats urinary retention.

ACE Inhibitors

Blocks the enzyme converter ACE to reverse the vasoconstriction it causes, useful for congestive heart failure and systemic hypertension in renal failure, may cause hypotension.

Benazepril, Enalapril, (other -prils)

ACE Inhibitors made to different strengths, tablets.

Diuretics

Increases the excretion of water and salt through diuresis, reduces preload and harmful side effects of congestive heart failure.

Furosemide

Inhibits salt and water absorption in the kidney resulting in high amounts of dilute urine, rapid onset of action but short duration, may cause hypokalemia (low K+), used in dogs, cats, horses, and cattle, available in many formats.

Spironlactone

Inhibits the hormone aldosterone, rarely causes hypokalemia, increases the excretion of water and sodium but reduces the excretion of potassium, treats many things.

Mannitol

Osmotic diuretic, increases water excretion, used to reduce intracranial pressure after head trauma and certain pathologies, given IV.

Aspirin

At appropriate doses to help prevent clot formation in HCM cats.