Cardiac Pharmacology Mnemonics

By : Dr. Subrahmanyam Karuturi

> Aspirin: Adverse effects ASPIRIN
Asthma, Salicylism, Peptic ulcer / Premature closure of PDA, Intestinal blood loss, Reye's syndrome, Idiosyncracy , Noise (tinnitus)

> Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers "Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium"
· Cardioselective betablockers are:
Betaxolol
Acebutelol
Esmolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol

> Propranolol and related '-olol' drugs: usage "olol" is just two backwards lower case b's.
Backward b's stand for "beta blocker".
· Beta blockers include acebutolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, oxprenolol, propranolol.

 
  > Warfarin: action, monitoring WePT:
Warfarin works on the extrinsic pathway and is monitored by PT.

 
  > Beta-blockers: side effects "BBC Loses Viewers In Rochedale":
Bradycardia
Bronchoconstriction
Claudication
Lipids
Vivid dreams & nightmares
-ve Inotropic action
Reduced sensitivity to hypoglycaemia

 
  > Captopril (an ACE inhibitor): side effects CAPTOPRIL:
Cough
Angioedema/ Agranulocystosis
Proteinuria/ Potassium excess
Taste changes
Orthostatic hypotension
Pregnancy contraindication/ Pancreatitis/ Pressure drop (first dose hypertension)
Renal failure (and renal artery stenosis contraindication)/ Rash
Indomethacin inhibition
Leukopenia/ Liver toxicity

 
  > Beta-blockers: main contraindications, cautions ABCDE:
Asthma
Block (heart block)
COPD
Diabetes mellitus
Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)

 
  > Ca++ channel blockers: uses CA++ MASH:
Cerebral vasospasm/ CHF
Angina
Migranes
Atrial flutter, fibrillation
Supraventricular tachycardia
Hypertension
· Alternatively: "CHASM":
Cererbral vasospasm / CHF
Hypertension
Angina
Suprventricular tachyarrhythmia
Migranes

 
  > Warfarin: metabolism SLOW:
· Has a slow onset of action.
· A quicK Vitamin K antagonist, though.
Small lipid-soluble molecule
Liver: site of action
Oral route of administration.
Warfarin
 

  > Amiodarone: action, side effects 6 P's:
Prolongs action potential duration
Photosensitivity
Pigmentation of skin
Peripheral neuropathy
Pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis
Peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 is inhibited -> hypothyroidism

> Clopidogrel: use CLOPIdogrel is a drug that prevents
CLots, an Oral Platelet Inhibitor (OPI).

 
  > Beta blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity Picture diabetic and asthmatic kids riding away on a cart that rolls on pinwheels.
Pindolol and Carteolol have high and moderate ISA respectively, making them acceptable for use in some diabetics or asthmatics despite the fact that they are non-seletive beta blockers.

 
  > Enoxaprin (prototype low molecular weight heparin): action, monitoring EnoXaprin only acts on factor Xa.
Monitor Xa concentration, rather than APTT.

 
  > Beta-blockers: nonselective beta-blockers "Tim Pinches His Nasal Problem" (because he has a runny nose...):
Timolol
Pindolol
Hismolol
Naldolol
Propranolol
 

  > Thrombolytic agents USA:
Urokinase
Streptokinase
Alteplase (tPA)

 
  > Antiarrhythmics: classification I to IV MBA College
· In order of class I to IV:
Membrane stabilizers (class I)
Beta blockers
Action potential widening agents
Calcium channel blockers

 
  > HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): side effects, contraindications, interactions HMG-CoA:
· Side effects:
Hepatotoxicity
Myositis [aka rhabdomyolysis]
· Contraindications:
Girl during pregnancy/ Growing children
· Interactions:
Coumarin/ Cyclosporine

 
  > Antiarrhythmics: class III members BIAS:
Bretylium
Ibutilide
Amiodarone
Sotalol

> Beta blockers: B1 selective vs. B1-B2 non-selective A through N: B1 selective: Acebutalol, Atenolol, Esmolol, Metoprolol.
O through Z: B1, B2 non-selective: Pindolol, Propanalol, Timolol.

> Beta blockers: members "The NEPAL Prime Minister":
Timolol
Nadolol
Esmolol
Pindolol
Atenolol
Labetalol
Propranolol
Metoprolol

 
  > Thalidomide: effect on cancer cells "Thalidomide makes the blood vessels hide":
Use thalidomide to stop cancer cells from growing new blood vessels.

> NSAIDs: contraindications NSAID:
Nursing and pregnancy
Serious bleeding
Allergy/ Asthma/ Angioedema
Impaired renal function
Drug (anticoagulant)

 
  > ACEI: contraindictions PARK:
Pregnancy
Allergy
Renal artery stenosis
K increase (hyperkalemia)

> CHIPCHANGE
The many unwanted affects of amiodarone: Cutaneous photosensitivity, Hepatic dysfunction, Increases LDL, Pulmonary fibrosis, CNS effects, Hyper/hypothyroidism, Asymptomatic corneal deposits, peripheral Neuropathy, GI dysfunction, Enhances the effects of warfarin/digoxin
 
 

> Endotrachial tube deliverable drugs O NAVEL:
Oxygen
Naloxone
Atropine
Ventolin (albuterol)
Epinephrine
Lidocaine
· If you can't get IV access established, and have necessity to administer resuscitative meds, remember you have the airway and can give the above drugs.
· Drug delivery is enhanced if diluted with 10cc NS and rapid introduced for aeresolization.
· Alternatively, bare bone version is ALE, as above.

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