Title of the learning unit: Antiarrhythmics


Impact of the learning unit:

Gaining knowledge how to pharmacologically influence individual phases of cardiac action potential
and acquire principles of treatment and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias.


Important terms

class 1 - sodium channel inhibiting antiarrhythmics

quinidine
lidocaine
propafenone

class 2 – beta-adrenoceptor inhibiting antiarrhythmics

                bisoprolol

                metoprolol

                esmolol

class 3 – potassium channel inhibiting antiarrhythmics

                amiodarone

thyroid disorders
pulmonary fibrosis

                sotalol

class 4 – calcium channel inhibiting antiarrhythmics

                 verapamil

antiarrhythmics not classified in Vaughan-Williams classification

                adenosine

                atropine

risk of arrhythmogenic effect of antiarrhythmics

Learning outcomes

Student is able to define the mechanism how drugs may interfere electrophysiological processes in
the membrane and thus to prevent or treat arrhythmia.

Student knows the basic pharmacological profile (mechanism of action, side effects, indications and
contraindications) of antiarrhythmics.



Study literature

Rang & Dale's Pharmacology E - Book, Humphrey Rang 8th edition, 2016, chapter 21, p. 247

Study materials to subjects aVLFA0822c  and aVLFA0822p.


Exam questions

Special pharmacology: 36. Antiarrhythmics

“Essential” drugs: 84. digoxin, 85. amiodarone, 86. verapamil