Pharmacology
Summary
Class V antiarrhythmics comprise a distinct group of agents, including digoxin, adenosine, magnesium, and potassium. Digoxin primarily affects the atria and AV node via direct parasympathomimetic effects by directly stimulating the vagus nerve. This makes it effective in managing atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and flutter. Magnesium plays a pivotal role in cardiac health, especially in its capacity to prevent torsades de pointes, a severe form of ventricular tachycardia. While its precise mechanism remains unknown, its importance in arrhythmia prevention is undeniable. Potassium balance is another cornerstone of cardiac function, as both hyperkalemia and hypokalemia can precipitate arrhythmias.
Adenosine is a purine nucleotide that has a profound effect on cardiac electrical activity. It interacts with A1 receptors on cardiac cells, which leads to increased outward potassium current and decreased inward calcium current. This interaction has a pronounced effect on the AV node, enabling adenosine to rapidly convert paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia back to a normal sinus rhythm, and causes transient high grade heart block. Adenosine increases coronary blood flow and can cause cutaneous flushing, and is inhibited by caffeine and theophylline (methylxanthines).
Lesson Outline
Don't stop here!
Get access to 133 more Pharmacology lessons & 13 more medical school learning courses with one subscription!
FAQs
Digoxin primarily inhibits mycardial sodium-potassium ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular sodium levels. This promotes calcium influx, resulting in elevated intracellular calcium, which enhances cardiac contractility. Additionally, digoxin has vagomimetic effects on the AV node, which is beneficial for controlling ventricular rates in conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Adenosine acts by briefly halting AV nodal conduction, primarily through the activation of inward rectifier potassium channels. Adenosine activates inhibitory A1 receptors, which increases outward potassium current and suppresses inward calcium current. This action hyperpolarizes the cell, suppressing the generation of action potentials. Its rapid and transient effects make it especially effective in terminating specific supraventricular tachycardias that involve the AV node.
Magnesium plays a pivotal role in stabilizing cell membranes and is essential in numerous cellular processes. In the context of arrhythmias, magnesium is particularly effective in treating torsades de pointes. While its mechanism is not fully elucidated, it seems to counteract the effects of calcium, which can promote early afterdepolarizations.
Digoxin, due to its mechanism of increasing intracellular calcium, can lead to side effects like arrhythmias, gastrointestinal disturbances, and visual changes. Its narrow therapeutic window means that slight elevations in its levels can lead to toxicity. The side effects are directly related to its primary action on cellular ion balance and its influence on the autonomic nervous system.
Adenosine interacts with the AV node by binding A1 receptors in cardiac cells, increasing inward potassium current and suppressing leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of action potentials. This results in a brief halt in AV nodal conduction, effectively terminating certain arrhythmias. Its transient effect is due to its rapid metabolism and clearance from the circulation, ensuring its actions are short-lived.
