Is there an easy way to remember the effects of cardiac drugs?

Question

I need to learn about the effects of the antidysrhythmic, inotropes and vasoactive drugs.

Answer 1

first regulate rhythm then increase stroke volume and lastly increase vascular resistance.

Good luck

Answer 2

As far as inotropes and vasoactive drugs, you need to be aware of the whole circulatory system and the neurochemical changes that occur in response to stress (any stress such as exercise or illness). Look up the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses (autonomic nervous system) in a physiology book. Vasoactive just means that the drug affects the veins and/or arteries, so inotropes and nitrates, for example, are both vasoactive. GTN and other nitrates relax the vessels and reduce demand on the heart (possibly too much if BP drops too low and venous return is compromised), whilst inotropes increase the force of myocardial contraction and constrict vessels. Get definitions of myocardial preload and afterload to put this into context. Anti-arrhythmic drugs are best understood if you get your head around the action potential of cardiac cells and have a knowledge of cardiac conduction and the cardiac cycle (all in physiology books). Do an internet search of the Vaughan-Williams classification of anti-arryhthmics to put this into context. It is a big topic and it depends how deep you want to go into it. I hope this helps a little. Anyway here is a precis...

Nitrates - reduce BP, reduce myocardial demand (good in context of heart failure/MI) - can also dilate vessels in other organs ie brain so cause headaches...too great a drop in BP may compromise venous return to right heart and thus cause heart failure

Inotropes - increase force of myocardial contraction (last resort in cardiogenic shock), increase vascular resistance (so good to counteract the deletrious effects of systemic sepsis in compromised patient)...there are many...adrenaline, noradrenaline, dobutamine, dopamine...and they have different effects on alpha and beta receptors hence their selective use - but you can get info on this as topic on its own

Anti-arrythmics - look at action potential of cardiac cells and see Vaughan Williams Classification

Answer 3

the first regulates the rhythm i.e -adenosine , inotropes the force of the pump- digoxin, and vasoactive- to constrict or dialate the vessels.-nitro

Answer 4

http://www.webmd.com