Heart Meds

Chrono(time)tropic effect - change in the heart rate - change refractory length

Dromo(running)tropic effect - change in the electrical conduction speed across the myocardium

Ino(fiber)tropic - change in the strength or contractility of the heart - cardiac glycosides - Frank-Starling law - Digoxin - Heart beat harder, slower

tropic - to influence

Sodium channel blockers - Quinidine - stabilize dysrhythmias by slowing spread of impulse conduction across the myocardium
Watch GI upset, digoxin, ekg

Potassium channel blockers - Amiodarone - stabilize dysrhythmias by prolonging duration the action potential and extending the refractory period
Watch blurred vision, light sensitivity, lung probs, GI upset, rash, digoxin, ekg


Calcium channel blockers - Verapamil are similar to beta blockers. Reduced automaticity in the SA node, slowed impulse conduction through AV node and prolonged refractory period
Watch bradycardia, digoxin, hypotension, headaches, constipation

Beta-adrenergic blockers - 'lols -propranolol - stabilize dysrhythmias by slowing heart rate and decreasing conduction velocity through AV node.
Watch hypotension, bradycardia - take pulse, dim. sex and impotence


Digoxin, (Adenosine, Ibutilide - rapid short term) are used for specific dysrhythmias, but do not act by blocking channels
Watch potassium, visual halos, GI upset, ekg

ACE inhibs - 'prils - ousts sodium and water which reduces afterload and preload by lowering blood volume and peripheral resistance
Watch cough, potassium, taste, hypotension


Diuretics - 'ides and spironolactone - reduce blood volume, edema, congestion - lowers blood pressure and workload
Watch electrolytes, hypotension, dehydration

Please add missing info, I did this real fast to start off.