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Batch 1: Antiarrhythmics
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Mechanism
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Clinical Use
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Side Effects
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Antiarrhythmics Cheat Sheet
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Class I (Na+ Blockers)
Mechanism:
Block Fast Na+ Channels (Phase 0). Use dependence (bind active channels).
Class IA (Quinidine, Procainamide, Disopyramide):
Effect:
Intermediate Na+ block + K+ block. Increases AP Duration & QT.
Toxicity:
Cinchonism (Quinidine), Drug-Induced Lupus (Procainamide), Heart Failure (Disopyramide).
Class IB (Lidocaine, Mexiletine):
Effect:
Weak Na+ block. Shortens AP Duration. Best for Ischemic/Depolarized tissue (Post-MI).
Toxicity:
CNS stimulation (tremor, seizure).
Class IC (Flecainide, Propafenone):
Effect:
Strong Na+ block. No effect on AP Duration. Drastically widens QRS.
Contraindication:
Structural/Ischemic heart disease (Proarrhythmic).
Class II (Beta-Blockers)
Mechanism:
Decrease cAMP -> Decrease Ca2+ & Funny currents. Decrease slope of Phase 4. Slows HR.
Clinical:
Rate control (AFib), SVT suppression.
Toxicity:
Masks hypoglycemia, bronchospasm, AV block.
Class III (K+ Blockers)
Mechanism:
Block K+ channels -> Prolong Phase 3 Repolarization -> Prolong QT.
Reverse Use Dependence:
Bind best at slow heart rates (Risk of Torsades in bradycardia).
Amiodarone:
The "dirty" drug (Blocks I, II, III, IV). Low Torsades risk but high organ toxicity:
Lungs (Fibrosis), Liver (Hepatitis), Thyroid (Hyper/Hypo), Skin (Blue-gray), Eyes (Deposits).
Sotalol/Dofetilide:
Pure K+ block. High Torsades risk.
Class IV (Ca2+ Blockers)
Non-DHPs (Verapamil, Diltiazem):
Block L-type Ca2+ channels. Slow Phase 0 in SA/AV nodes.
Toxicity:
Constipation (Verapamil), Gingival Hyperplasia, Edema.
Others
Adenosine:
Hyperpolarizes AV node (K+ efflux).
Use:
SVT termination.
SE:
Flushing, Doom. Blocked by Caffeine.
Digoxin:
Inhibits Na/K ATPase -> Increases Ca2+ (Contractility). Stimulates Vagus (Slows AV node).
Toxicity:
Xanthopsia (Yellow vision). Worsened by Hypokalemia.
Magnesium:
First-line for Torsades de Pointes.
Ivabradine:
Selectively inhibits Funny current (If). Slows HR without effect on BP/Contractility.
SE:
Luminous phenomena.