Pharmacology: Cardiac Exam with Answers
What is the drug-name ending of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE
inhibitors)? - ---PRIL
What are ACE inhibitors indicated for? - -1. Congestive heart failure with low ejection
fraction (prevents left ventricular remodeling/hypertrophy)
2. Hypertension/Hypertensive crisis (especially diabetics)
3. Proteinuria (protects the kidney of diabetics)
4. Acute MCI (prevents vicious cycle of cardiac decline)
What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? - -1. ACE inhibitors block the
function of ACE--an enzyme that resides in the lungs and converts Angiotensin I to
Angiotensin II
2. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor which also stimulates the release of
aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland
What are the common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors? - -1. Dry cough due to
increased bradykinin
2. Angioedema and hyperkalemia may also occur
, Pharmacology: Cardiac Exam with Answers
What are the drug-names and drug-name endings of Calcium Channel Blockers? - -
1. Ditiazem, Verapamil
2. --PINE
When are calcium channel blockers indicated? - -They are indicated in patients who
require immediate vasodilation or correction of conduction abnormalities:
1. Hypertension (high risk coronary disease)
2. Atrial arrhythmias
3. Pulmonary Hypertension
4. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
5. Raynaud's Phenomenon (spontaneous vasospasm)
6. Subarrachnoid Hemorrhage
7. Vasospastic angina
What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers? - -1. Calcium
channel blockers block calcium channels in smooth muscle, leading to POTENT
VASODILATION
2. Calcium Channel Blockers also limit conduction at the AV node of the heart (can help
arrhythmia)
, Pharmacology: Cardiac Exam with Answers
What are the side-effects of calcium channel blockers? - -1. Postural hypotension,
flushing, constipation, edema
2. Ditiazem and Verapamil cause AV BLOCK***
3. --PINE Calcium Channel inhibitors cause TACHYCARDIA***
What are spironolactone and eperenone? - -Aldosterone antagonists
When are spironolactone and eperenone indicated? - -1. Congestive heart failure
(decreases the cardiac work load)
2. Ascites (best initial diuretic therapy)
3. Adrenal hyperplasia or small cell carcinoma of the lung (aldosterone producing
neoplasias)
-Acne (can be anti-androgenic in women)
-Hypertension (rarely)
-Amnorrhea
What are the medications that are KNOWN to lower mortality in congestive heart failure? -
-HIGH YIELD, KNOW IN YOUR SLEEP
1. ACE Inhibitors
What is the drug-name ending of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE
inhibitors)? - ---PRIL
What are ACE inhibitors indicated for? - -1. Congestive heart failure with low ejection
fraction (prevents left ventricular remodeling/hypertrophy)
2. Hypertension/Hypertensive crisis (especially diabetics)
3. Proteinuria (protects the kidney of diabetics)
4. Acute MCI (prevents vicious cycle of cardiac decline)
What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? - -1. ACE inhibitors block the
function of ACE--an enzyme that resides in the lungs and converts Angiotensin I to
Angiotensin II
2. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor which also stimulates the release of
aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland
What are the common adverse effects of ACE inhibitors? - -1. Dry cough due to
increased bradykinin
2. Angioedema and hyperkalemia may also occur
, Pharmacology: Cardiac Exam with Answers
What are the drug-names and drug-name endings of Calcium Channel Blockers? - -
1. Ditiazem, Verapamil
2. --PINE
When are calcium channel blockers indicated? - -They are indicated in patients who
require immediate vasodilation or correction of conduction abnormalities:
1. Hypertension (high risk coronary disease)
2. Atrial arrhythmias
3. Pulmonary Hypertension
4. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
5. Raynaud's Phenomenon (spontaneous vasospasm)
6. Subarrachnoid Hemorrhage
7. Vasospastic angina
What is the mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers? - -1. Calcium
channel blockers block calcium channels in smooth muscle, leading to POTENT
VASODILATION
2. Calcium Channel Blockers also limit conduction at the AV node of the heart (can help
arrhythmia)
, Pharmacology: Cardiac Exam with Answers
What are the side-effects of calcium channel blockers? - -1. Postural hypotension,
flushing, constipation, edema
2. Ditiazem and Verapamil cause AV BLOCK***
3. --PINE Calcium Channel inhibitors cause TACHYCARDIA***
What are spironolactone and eperenone? - -Aldosterone antagonists
When are spironolactone and eperenone indicated? - -1. Congestive heart failure
(decreases the cardiac work load)
2. Ascites (best initial diuretic therapy)
3. Adrenal hyperplasia or small cell carcinoma of the lung (aldosterone producing
neoplasias)
-Acne (can be anti-androgenic in women)
-Hypertension (rarely)
-Amnorrhea
What are the medications that are KNOWN to lower mortality in congestive heart failure? -
-HIGH YIELD, KNOW IN YOUR SLEEP
1. ACE Inhibitors
