Inhinit Ca influx through L type
calcium channels, acting on CA
entry into vascular SM, cardiac
muscle (reduce force), SA nodal
tissues (reduce rate), AV node
(decrease conduction velocity)
Dihydropyridine - Amlodipine
vasoselective - inhibits L and T type Ca
channels on primarily arterial SM -->
antihypertensive effect. reduces TPR.
CAUTION IN ANGINA - may cause excessive
dilation - hypotension - reflex tachycardia
and increase O2 demand
Phenylalkalamines - verapamil
Binds to open cardiac
L-type channel:
cardioselective. also acts
as vasodilator. Indicated in
angina as it reduces
myocardial O2 demand
and reduces coronary
vasospasm. Also indicated
in HTN = produces
antihypertensive effect.
Contraindicated in HF and
with B blocker
Benzothiazipines - diltiazem
inhibits Ca2+ influx
during membrane
depolarisation of
cardiac and vascular
SM, interfering with
slow inward
depolarising current in
excitable cardiac
tissue. effective as
anti-arrhythmic in AF,
angina by reducing
Oxygen demand, and
can reverse coronary
vasospasm.
Beta Blockers
reduces O2 consumption by
negative ionotropic and
chronotropic actions
Nitrates/Nitrofilators
MOA: mimic the actions of endogenous
NO, e.g. vasodilation. Release NO in
plasma or form NO within cells to cause
VENOUS dilation, reducing venous
pressure and preload. Reduces diastolic
wall stress and cardiac work. Systemic
arterial dilation reduces after load and
enhances CO while also reducing
ventricular wall stress and O2 demand
Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN)
sublingual spray or buccal tablet -
broken down quickly in stomach
so not oral administration.
Treatment of acute angina and
relief of pain. Fast acting
Isosorbide
mononitrate/dinitrate
oral delivery, longer
onset and duration of
action. More useful for
long term prophylaxis
and management of
CAD
Therapeutic uses
Angina/MI
Ischaemic pain due to decreased
coronary flow and O2 delivery to
the heart - vasodilation reduces
preload and O2 demand, reduces
systemic arterial resistance
reducing after load and decrease
LV wall stress, reduce wall stress,
cardiac work and O2 demand.
Acute.severe HF
reduction in after load
improves EF and SV,
venous pressure reduction
reduces oedema
Pump/Cardiac
contractility
Calcium channel blockers
Centrally acting A2 agonists- Clonidine
Reduces NA release at
synapse - reduce
sympathetic outflow,
and reduces
parasympathetic less.
Dulls sympathetic
outflow causing
decreased HR and SV
(due to decrease FOC)
and therefore decreased
CO and MAPB
Anti-arrhythmics
B blockers- Metoprolol
Inhibit binding of noradrenaline and
adrenaline to beta receptors, antagonise
cardiac and renal B receptors. Decrease CO
and BP by both negative cardiac chronotropic
and ionotropic actions. Also decreasing renin
output so decrease water retention, fluid
volumes in body and decrease BP
Class 3 - Amiodarone
MOA: Block K+ channels involved in
membrane replarisation. Can
modulate lipid membrane
properties and affect Na+ fluxes.
Plateau and AP duration are
prolonged, substantially prolongs
ERP so decreased chance of
re-entry, prolongs atrial and
ventricular replarisation
Digoxin - negative ionotrope?
MOA: cardiac glycoside - increases
force of contraction and slows rate
Plasma/Blood volume
Diuretics
Thiazide - Bendroflumethazide
Act on distal tubule,
competitively binding to
Na/Cl cotransporters.
Decrease reabsorption
of Na and water
Loop - frusemide
act on thick ascending
loop of heel, inhibits
NKCC2 transporter by
competing with Cl- for
binding, reducing
reabsorption of Na, K
and Cl, and therefore
inhibiting gradient for
water to move down.
Osmotic- manitol
Osmotically active -
filtered into tubule
from glomerulus
and increases
osmolarity of filtrate
so decreases
reabsorption of
whater. Also
increases osmolarity
of the blood,
therefore increasing
water flow from
tissues into
interstitial fluid,
reducing oedema.
K+ Sparing
Spironolactone
acts on distal tubule and
collecting duct. Is an
aldosterone antagonist -
competes for the receptor,
so no up regulation of ENax
(sodium transporter) and
Na/K ATPase - decreased
reabsorption of sodium
and therefore water
Amiloride
acts on distal
tubule and
collecting duct,
inhibits ENaC,
decreasing
reabsorption of
sodium and so
decrease
reabsorption of
water
ACE inhibitors - Cilazipril
Decrease angiotensin II levels being
released, reduced systemic vascular
resistance and vasodilation of veins.
Increase levels of bradykinin
(vasodilation). Downregulates AT2
provoked sympathetic activity.
Blocks AT2 effect in kidney, reducing
aldosterone release - increasing Na
and water excretion, leads to K+
retention. also inhibit cardiac and
vascular remodelling and fibrosis
Therapeutic uses
chronic heart failure -
reduces after load,
increasing SV and
ejection, reduces TPR.
Reduces preload,
reduces sympathetic
activation and prevents
AT2 from cardiac
remodelling
Angiotensin receptor blockers - Losartan
Potent selective AT1 receptor
antagonist. Block all effects on AT1
receptors, preventing effects of ATII
on Vascular SM< aldosterone
secretion, sympatheticthetic
activation, pro-fibrotic pathways
Aspirin MOA: non-selective
COX inhibitor, acetylates
platelet COX1, reducing TXA2
production for the lifetime of
the platelet. No platelet
nucleus so no transcription
and production of
COX1.Minimal effect on
endothelial COX2 due to
rapid turnover of COX2 by
endothelial transcription
- Prevents thrombus formation by
decreasing platelet’s ability to
adhere and aggregate at the site
of injury
Clopidogrel MOA: non-competitive
blocking of ADP receptors, prevents
binding of GPIIb-IIIa receptor - reduces
platelet activation, and binding to each
other and fibrinogen
Anticoagulants e.g. Heparin, Warfarin
Warfarin MOA: prevents reduction of
vitamin K by inhibiting vitamin K
epoxide reductase. prevents vitamin
K from activating clotting factors II,
IX, X and proteins C and S. Overall,
reduces formation of fibrin so
prevents formation of thrombus
Heparin - e.g. Enoxaoarin (LMW)
MOA: factor Xa is inhibited by
anti-thrombin III. Heparin increases
the binding of antithrombin with
prothrombin (Xa) and thrombin (IIa)
fibrinolytics - Tenecteplase and Alteplase
MOA: brings to fibrin in
thrombus and converts trapped
plasminogen to plasmin.
Plasmin initiates local
fibrinolysis
Indications - acute MI:
prevent thrombus or break
down clot causing
occlusion, ischaemic stroke
- break down formed clot. used at the time of MI.