Pharmacology and Cardiac Medications Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering major cardiac medications, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, diuretics, and vasopressors based on lecture notes.

Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor that lowers blood pressure by blocking conversion to angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and stopping ADH hormone retention. Used for hypertension and heart failure; key adverse effects include angioedema, hyperkalemia, and renal insufficiency.

Beta Blockers

Class of medications including atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, and propranolol that decrease SA node firing, heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure. Used for HTN, cardiomyopathy, tachyarrhythmias, and performance anxiety.

Propranolol

A beta blocker that crosses the blood-brain barrier with a high risk of rapid circulatory collapse, bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac arrest, seizures, coma, and CNS depression if administered incorrectly.

Amiodarone

Class 3 potassium channel blocker antiarrhythmic used for ventricular arrhythmias and V-fib that decreases contraction velocity and has an extremely long half-life of $25\text{--}110\text{ days}$. Can cause blue man syndrome and pulmonary toxicity.

Atropine

Anticholinergic and antimuscarinic antiarrhythmic used for bradycardia and nerve agent/insecticide poisoning. Increases heart rate and decreases sweating, salivation, and respiratory secretions.

Adenosine

Antiarrhythmic used for SVT that slows AV node conduction and has an extremely short half-life of $1.5\text{--}10\text{ seconds}$. Administered via rapid IV push and causes short asystole lasting $<5\text{ seconds}$.

Digoxin

Antiarrhythmic used for heart failure, A-fib, and A-flutter that increases heart contractions and cardiac output while slowing heart rate. Has a therapeutic range of $0.5\text{--}2$; toxicity symptoms include yellow halos and abdominal pain.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medications such as diltiazem and verapamil that reduce contractility and cause vasodilation and coronary dilation. Used for A-fib, SVT, angina, and HTN; can cause gingival hyperplasia and peripheral edema.

Epinephrine

High-alert medication that produces vasoconstriction and bronchodilation. Used as first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, severe hypotension (shock), upper airway obstruction, and cardiac arrest/asystole.

Morphine

Opioid that reduces preload and afterload to lower cardiac oxygen demand. Used for severe STEMI chest pain; larger oral doses are required because it is inactivated by the liver.

Nitroglycerin

Nitrate vasodilator used to control HTN and angina pain. Administered 1 pill q $5\text{ mins}$ up to 3 times; strictly contraindicated with sildenafil or tadalafil due to extreme hypotension risk.

Aspirin

NSAID, antiplatelet, and antipyretic used to prevent cardiovascular events. The first dose for MI should be chewed, and it is contraindicated in patients under 18 years old due to Reye syndrome.

Clopidogrel

Antiplatelet agent that prevents platelet clumping without directly thinning blood. Used for MI prevention, CVA, angina, and stent reclusion; must be stopped $7\text{ days}$ prior to surgery.

Apixaban

High-alert factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant used to reduce clot and DVT risk from atrial fibrillation. Contraindicated with fluconazole, NSAIDs, and other anticoagulants.

Dopamine

Vasopressor IV medication used for cardiogenic and septic hypotensive shock that increases blood pressure, cardiac output, and renal perfusion. Extravasation is treated by infiltrating $10\text{--}15\text{ mL}$ saline with $5\text{--}10\text{ mg}$ phentolamine.

Dobutamine

High-alert IV vasodilator and inotrope that increases heart contraction strength and cardiac output without raising blood pressure. Used for heart failure ($<48\text{ hours}$) and cardiogenic shock.

Alteplase

IV thrombolytic/fibrinolytic medication that degrades fibrin clots in PE, MI, CVA, and DVT. Has a maximum dose of $90\text{ mg}$ and utilizes aminocaproic acid as an antidote.

Warfarin

Oral anticoagulant that interferes with vitamin K for DVT and clot prophylaxis. Requires PT/INR monitoring ($2\text{--}3.5$); counteracted by vitamin K-rich foods and treated with parental vitamin K or fresh frozen plasma in overdose.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and fluid reabsorption to treat fluid overload in HTN, heart failure, and hepatic/renal disease. Causes ototoxicity and hypokalemia, and should be administered in the morning before $5\text{ PM}$.