This document discusses several classes of cardiovascular drugs including: - Antihypertensive drugs such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics which are used to treat high blood pressure. - Beta-blockers which reduce blood pressure by blocking epinephrine and causing the heart to beat more slowly. They are used for heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, and other conditions. - Loop diuretics which are used to treat fluid overload conditions. - Vasodilators which open blood vessels to improve blood flow by relaxing vessel walls. - Antiarrhythmic drugs which treat abnormal heart rhythms by modifying the heart

2. • Antihypertensive drugs
• Antiarrythmatic drugs
• Inotropic drugs
Highlights

3. • A – Ace Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor
Blockers (ARBs)
• B – Beta-blockers (rate-control drug)
• C – Calcium-channel blockers (inhibit electrical
stimulations)
• D – Diuretics (bring down the volume)
• D - Dilators

8. Angiotensin receptor blockers
(ARBs)
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs),
also known as angiotensin II receptor
antagonists, are used to treat high blood
pressure and heart failure.

14. INTRODUCTION
Beta blockers, also
known as beta-
adrenergic blocking
agents, are medications
that reduce blood
pressure. Beta blockers
work by blocking the
effects of the hormone
epinephrine, also known
as adrenaline.
Beta blockers cause
the heart to beat more
slowly and with less
force, which lowers
blood pressure. Beta
blockers also help
widen veins and
arteries to improve
blood flow.

15. Indications
1. Ischemic heart disease
2. Hypertension
3. Arrhythmias
4. Congestive heart failure
5. Cardiomyopathy
6. Migraine

25. What are loop diuretics used for:
• Loop diuretics are medications used in
the management and treatment of fluid
overload conditions

30. DEFINITION
• To prevent low levels of potassium
(hypokalaemia) occurring when other
diuretics are used (prescribed in combination
with the other diuretic).

36. Examples
• Chlorothiazide.
• Chlorthalidone.
• Hydrochlorothiazide.
• Indapamide.
• Metolazone.

39. Dilators
• Vasodilators are medications that open
(dilate) blood vessels. They affect the muscles
in the walls of the arteries and veins,
preventing the muscles from tightening and
the walls from narrowing. As a result, blood
flows more easily through the vessels.

44. • Change the position of
patient slowly.
• If complaining of dizziness,
energy drink should kept
ready & avoid driving.
• If the patient is complaining
of dry cough, expectorant
should be advised in case of
ACE inhibitors.
• If the patient is on Loop
diuretics watch for volume
status & sodium- potassium
level.

45. Conti…..
• In case of potassium sparing diuretic watch for
hyperkalemia and restrict potassium rich diet.
• For the dilators category drug watch for
headache.
• Monitor for hemodynamic stability.
• Explain long term follow-up & therapy are
necessary
• Patient should report unusual shortness of
breath, difficulty in breathing, swelling on ankle,
feet, face, around the eyes, weight gain or loss,
chest pain or palpitations, or excessive fatigue.

46. Cardiac Arrhythmias
• Arrhythmias are disturbances in the normal
electrical activity of the heart
• Arrhythmias can be detected on a recording of
the electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Supraventricular arrhythmias occur above the
ventricles in the atria, SA node, and AV node
• Ventricular arrhythmias occur in the
ventricles and Purkinje fibers and are usually
more serious and life-threatening

47. Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs
• Antiarrhythmic are drugs that are used
to treat abnormal heart rhythms resulting
from irregular electrical activity of the heart.

50. Quinidine and Procainamide
Classified as
class 1
antiarrhythm
ic drugs
Possess local
anesthetic
activity and
block the
influx of Na
ions during
depolarization
Main effects are
to decrease
excitability, slow
conduction, and
prolong the
refractory
period
ECG:
prolong the
PR, QRS,
and QT
intervals
Used for
both
supraventric
ular and
ventricular
arrhythmias

51. Lidocaine
• Class 1 local anesthetic-type antiarrhythmic
used only for ventricular arrhythmias
• Must be administered IV by infusion
• The drug of choice in acute and emergency
ventricular arrhythmias
• Main effect is to decrease automaticity

52. Propranolol
• Classified as a class 2 antiarrhythmic drug
• Primarily blocks cardiac beta receptors to slow
heart rate, AV conduction, and prolong the
refractory period
• ECG: mainly increases the PR interval
• Used for both supraventricular and ventricular
arrhythmias

53. Amiodarone
• Classified as a class 3 antiarrhythmic drug
• Usually reserved for more serious arrhythmias
when other drugs have failed
• Main effect is to prolong the refractory period
and increase the QT interval
• Drug contains iodine and can interfere with
thyroid function

54. Verapamil and Diltiazem
• Classified as class 4 antiarrhythmic drugs
• Act by blocking calcium ions
• Main effects are to decrease heart rate and AV
conduction, increase the PR interval
• Mainly used to treat supraventricular
arrhythmias
• May cause cardiac depression at higher doses

55. • Administered IV in emergency situations
• Main action is to decrease AV conduction and
slow the heart rate
• Used to treat acute supraventricular
tachycardia
• Duration of action is 15–30 seconds

57. • Monitor his cardiac rate (apical pulse) and
rhythm continuously when therapy starts or
any time the dosage is adjusted.
• Check his vital signs frequently.
• Watch for potassium level.

58. INOTROPIC DRUGS
A substance that increases
or decreases the force of
muscular contractions.