Cardiology

What is approximate half-life of adenosine?

8-10 seconds

What is an important pulmonary side-effect of adenosine?

Bronchoconstriction

What is the mechanism of action of adrenaline?

Selective beta-2 agonist

What is the approximate half-life of adrenaline?

2-3 minutes

Which class of drug does alteplase belong to?

Thrombolytic

Which class of anti-arrhythmic does amiodarone belong to?

Class III

What is the approximate half-life of amiodarone during long-term treatment i.e., more than 4 months?

61 days

What is the side-effect of amiodarone on blood pressure?

Reduced – hypotension

What side-effect can amiodarone have on the skin?

Blue-grey skin pigmentation

What is the mechanism of action of aspirin?

Irreversibly inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and 2) enzymes

How is thromboxane A2 production affected by aspirin?

Inhibited production

What is the mechanism of action of atropine?

Muscarinic antagonist

Calcium channel antagonists can be divided into which 2 main types?

1) Dihydropyridines

2) Non-dihydropyridines

What class of drug does amlodipine belong to?

Calcium channel antagonist: dihydropyridine

What class of drug does diltiazem belong to?

Calcium channel antagonist: non-dihydropyridine

What class of drug does nifedipine belong to?

Calcium channel antagonist: dihydropyridine

What class of drug does verapamil belong to?

Calcium channel antagonist: non-dihydropyridine

What is the mechanism of action of clopidogrel?

ADP (adenosine 5’-diphosphate) receptor antagonist thereby reducing platelet aggregation

What is the mechanism of action of digoxin?

Na/K pump inhibitor

List 2 electrolyte disturbances which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity

1) Hypokalaemia

2) Hypomagnesaemia

What is Digibind®?

Digoxin-binding antibody

What class of drug does furosemide belong to?

Loop diuretic

What is the mechanism of action of loop diuretics?

Inhibition of the Na/2Cl/K co-transporter thereby inhibiting reabsorption of sodium and chloride

Where in the nephron is the site of action of loop diuretics?

Medullary and cortical aspects of the thick ascending limb including the macula densa

What class of drug does indapamide belong to?

Thiazide-like diuretic

Which class of anti-arrhythmic do sodium channel antagonists belong to?

Class I

Which class of drug does procainamide belong to?

Sodium channel antagonist: class Ia

Which class of anti-arrhythmic does lidocaine belong to?

Sodium channel antagonist: class Ib

Which class of drug does flecainide belong to?

Sodium channel antagonist: class Ic

What class of drug does metolazone belong to?

Thiazide-like diuretic

What is the mechanism of action of prasugrel?

ADP (adenosine 5’-diphosphate) receptor antagonist thereby reducing platelet aggregation

What is the mechanism of action of ticagrelor?

ADP (adenosine 5’-diphosphate) receptor antagonist thereby reducing platelet aggregation

What is the mechanism of action of tirofiban?

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist