DRUGS FOR CARDIAC DISORDERS Congestive heart failure (CHF) condition when heart muscle fails to effectively pump blood through the heart & systemic circulation build-up of blood (congestion). Causes: • damaged heart muscle atherosclerosis / coronary artery dse (CAD) cardiomyopathy •
increased demand to heart muscle to work harder hypertension valvular disease
•
abnormal heart structure congenital cardiac defects
Left-sided Heart failure when LV does not contract sufficiently excessive blood backs up into lung tissue. s/sxs • pulmonary edema o tachypnea o dyspnea o orthopnea o hemoptysis o rales /wheezes • cardiomegaly, increase HR, S3 • anxiety • decrease peripheral pulses Right-sided Heart Failure when right side of the heart does not contract sufficiently excessive blood backs up into peripheral tissues. s/sxs: o o o o o o o
elevated jugular venous pressure hepatomegaly splenomegaly decrease renal perfusion when upright increase renal perfusion when supine nocturia pitting edema weakness & fatigue
Compensatory Mechanisms in CHF
Treatment for CHF: Nonpharmacologic measures: 1. limit salt intake to 2 gms daily. 2. limit alcohol intake 3. avoid smoking
4. low fat & low caloric diet 5. mild exercise Pharmacologic measures: 1. cardiotonic /inotropic agents directly stimulate heart muscle to contract more effectively. 2. vasodilators reduce cardiac workload 3. diuretics reduce blood volume & heart’s workload 4. beta- blockers (in some cases) reduce heart’s workload precipitated by sympathetic activity. 5. beta-adrenergic agonists increase heart contractility. CARDIOTONIC DRUGS I. Cardiac Glycosides a. Digoxin ( Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) b. Digitoxin II. Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors a. Inamrinone (Inocor) b. Milrinone (Primacor) I. Cardiac Glycosides / Digitalis Glycosides increase calcium movement into heart muscle • increase force of myocardial contraction (+ ) inotropic effect • increase CO & renal perfusion increase stroke volume & increase UO decrease blood volume • slowed HR ( - ) chronotropic effect • decreased conduction velocity thru AV node (-) dromotropic effect decrease cardiac workload & relief of CHF primarily excreted unchanged in urine Indications: 1. treat CHF 2. correct atrial fibrillation 3. correct atrial flutter 4. treat paroxysmal atrial tachycardia A.
Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) absorption rate oral tablet > 70% liquid 90% capsule 90-100% narrow margin of safety therapeutic serum level 0.5 to 2.0 ng/ ml half-life is 36 hours
B.
Digitoxin potent cardiac glycoside very long half-life
SE/Adverse effects of cardiac gycosides: 1. headache, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion 2. visual illusions, blurred vision, diplopia, photophobia 3. GI upset & anorexia 4. bradycardia Digitalis Toxicity overdose or accumulation of digoxin s/sxs i. confusion & delirium ii. bradycardia iii. anorexia, N & V, diarrhea iv. ventricular dysrhythmias heart block Digoxin immune Fab (Digibind, Digifab) antidote to digitalis toxicity ( serum levels >10 ng / ml with serum potassium > 5mEq/L ) Drug interactions: 1. verapamil, amiodarone, quinidine, erythromycin, tetracycline ncrease Tx effect & toxic effects 2. potassium- losing diuretics & cortisone hypokalemia increase risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. 3. antacids decrease digitalis absorption 4. thyroid hormones, metoclopramide or penicillamine decrease digitalis efficacy Nursing Responsibilities: Before 1. Obtain a drug history. 2. Obtain baseline pulse rate. 3. Assess for S/Sxs of digitalis toxicity & report ASAP. 4. Be aware of contraindications: a. Allergy b. Ventricular dysrhthmias c. Heartblock d. Acute myocardial infarction e. Renal insufficiency During 1. Read labels carefully. 2. Check dosage & preparation carefully esp in children & elderly. 3. Check apical pulse rate before administering digoxin. 4. Check serum digoxin level ( 0.5 – 2.0 ng /ml) 5. Check serum potassium level (3.5 – 5.3 mEq/L) 6. Maintain emergency equipment on standby: a. Potassium salts b. Lidocaine c. Phenytoin
d. atropine After 1. Monitor for SE/ adverse effects. 2. Monitor patients response & effectiveness. II. Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors: block breakdown of cAMP ow more calcium to enter heart muscle more intense contraction & increase sympathetic stimulation increase SV & CO
vasodilation, increase HR, BP & workload
reserve for use if no response with other agents. A. B.
Amrinone ( Inocor) Milrinone ( Primacor)
Adverse effects: 1. ventricular arrhythmias 2. hypotension 3. chest pain 4. GI upset 5. thrombocytopenia Nursing responsibilities: • protect drug from light. • Monitor PR & BP. • Monitor platelet counts.
ANTIANGINAL DRUGS Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): develops when changes in the intima of coronary artery occur. • atheromas (fatty tumors) in intima attract platelets & immune factors
cause swelling & larger deposit narrowing of coronary artery lose elasticity & unable to meet needs of tissues Angina Pectoris (“suffocation of the chest) acute cardiac pain caused by inadequate blood flow to myocardium • plaque occlusions in coronary arteries or • spasms decrease in O2 to myocardium
anginal pain tightness pressure in center of chest pain radiating to left arm or neck
Types of Angina: 1. Classic (Stable) • occurs with stress or exertion. 2. Unstable (Preinfarction ) • occurs frequently over the course of the day with progressive severity. • occurs even at rest. 3. Prinzmetal’s (Variant, Vasospastic ) • caused by spasm of coronary vessel • occurs often at same time each day. • occurs during rest. Myocaridal infarction: complete occlusion of coronary vessel cells become ischemic necrotic die.
S/sxs:
excruciating chest pain nausea severe sympathethic stress reaction
MC cause of death fatal arrhythmias. Treatment to control angina: Nonpharmacologic measures: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
avoid heavy meals. avoid smoking avoid extreme weather changes avoid strenuous exercise & emotional upset proper nutrition moderate exercise adequate rest & relaxation. Pharmacologic measures: 1. Nitrates 2. Calcium channel blockers effective for variant (vasospastic ) angina pectoris 3. Beta- blockers effective for stable angina
Antianginal Drugs: I. Nitrates 1. Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat, Transderm- Nitro) 2. Amyl nitrate 3. Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) 4. Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Monoket) II. Beta-blockers A. Non-selective 1. Propanolol ( Inderal) 2. Nadolol (Corgard) 3. Pindolol (Visken) B.
Selective 1. Metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor) 2. Atenolol (Tenormin)
III. Calcium-channel blockers 1. Verapamil (Calan) 2. Nifedipine (Procardia) 3. Diltiazem (Cardizem) I. Nitrates cause generalized vascular & coronary vasodilation. decrease venous return
increase blood flow to myocardial cells
reduces myocardial ischemia lowers systemic blood pressure • decrease preload • decrease afterload decrease cardiac workload & demand for oxygen 1. Nitroglycerin Nitrate of choice in acute anginal attack Sublingual (SL) tablet • MC used • absorbed rapidly & directly into: internal jugular vein & right atrium • ave. dose 0.4mg or gr 1/150 following cardiac pain • onset of action: 1-3 min. & effects lasts for 10 minutes • decompose when exposed to light also available in: o ointment, o transdermal patch o aerosol spray o IV forms 2. Amyl nitrate Inhaled onset of action: 30 secs. 3. Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) 4. Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Monoket) oral drugs slower onset of action last upto 4 hrs SE/ Adverse reactions: 1. headaches 2. hypotension , dizziness & weakness 3. flushing 4. N & V, anorexia 5. reflex tachycardia Drug- interactions: 1. beta-blockers 2. calcium channel blockers enhance hypotensive effect of nitrates 3. vasodilators 4. alcohol 5. IV nitroglycerin antagonize effects of heparin.
6. ergot derivatives risk of hypertension & decrease nitrate efficacy.
Nursing responsibilities: 1. Be aware of contraindications! a. marked hypotension b. acute myocardial infarction c. severe anemia d. head trauma / cerebral hemorrhage e. pregnancy & lactation 2. Monitor VS. 3. Have client sit or lie down when taking nitrate for the 1st time. 4. Offer sips of water before giving SL nitrates. 5. Give SL preparations under tongue or in buccal pouch. 6. Rotate sites of topical forms. 7. Nitro-Bid ointment use tongue blade or gloves. 8. translingual spray used under tongue, not inhaled. 9. Break amyl nitrate & wave under nose. 10. Nitrol patch – removed nightly to allow for an 8-12 hr night-free interval. 11. taper dosage gradually over 4-6 wks. 12. Proper storage. II. Beta-blockers block release of catecholamines (Epi & Norepi) block stimulatory effects of SNS decrease HR & BP decrease myocardial contractility reduce need for O2 consumption & cardiac workload reduce anginal pain Indications: 1. antianginal long term mgt of stable angina pectoris 2. anti-dysrhythmic 3. antihypertensive well-absorbed orally teratogenic effects in animal studies SE/ adverse reactions: o decrease in PR & BP
o o o o
A.
dizziness, fatigue, emotional depression GI upset CHF & arrhythmias Bronchospasm & cough
Nonselective decrease PR & cause bronchoconstriction SE • bronchospasm • behavioral/ psychotic response • impotence 1. Propanolol (Inderal) onset of action:30 min , half-life 3-6hrs long-term mgmt of angina used to prevent reinfarction in stable pxs 1-4 wks after MI.
B.
2. Nadolol (Corgard) 3. Pindolol (Visken) Selective act more strongly with beta 1 receptor. decrease PR & avoid bronchoconstriction 1. Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol) • onset of action: 15 min , half-life:3-7 hrs, doa:6-12 hrs • Tx of angina & prevent reinfarction within 3-10days after MI 2. Atenolol (Tenormin) • onset of action: 60 min, half-life : 6-7hrs, doa: 24 hrs
Drug- interactions: 1. beta-blockers + clonidine paradoxical hypertension 2. beta-blockers + NSAIDS decrease antihypertensive effect 3. beta- blockers + ergot alkaloids peripheral ischemia 4. beta-blockers + insulin / antidiabetic agents change in blood glucose Nursing Responsibilities: 1. Beware of CI! a. bradycardia b. heartblock & cardiogenic shock c. asthma & COPD d. preg & lactation 2. Donot discontinue drug abruptly.
III. Calcium Channel blockers prevent movement of calcium into cardiac & smooth muscle cells loss of muscle tone vasodilation decreased peripheral resistance decrease preload & afterload decrease cardiac workload & O2 consumption indications: 1. control of variant (vasopastic) angina 2. control of classic (stable) angina 3. atherosclerosis well-absorbed, metabolized in liver, excreted in urine. fetal toxicity in animal studies SE/adverse effects: 1. dizziness, headache 2. nausea & hepatic injury 3. hypotension & bradycardia 4. flushing 1. Verapamil (Calan) also used to treat rapid cardiac dysrhythmias bradycardia onset of action: 10 min, doa: 3 -7hrs – oral, 2hrs - IV 2. Nifedipine (Adalat,Procardia) most potent hypotension 3. Diltiazem (Cardizem) 4. 5. 6. 7.
onset of action: 30 min., doa: 6- 8 hrs
Others: Nicardipine (Cardene) Amlodipine (Norvasc) Bepridil (Vascor) Felodipine (Plendil)
Drug Interactions: 1. Diltiazem + Cyclosporine increase toxicity 2. Verapamil + Digoxin increase risk of digoxin toxicity & heartblock 3. Verapamil + general anesthetics respiratory depression Nursing responsibilities: 1. Beware of contraindications: a. Allergy b. Heartblock
c. Renal/hepatic dysfunction d. Preg & lactation 2. Monitor BP & heart rhythm carefully.