How are antiarrhythmics classified?
Class I agents interfere with the sodium (Na+) channel. Class II agents are anti-sympathetic nervous system agents. Most agents in this class are beta blockers. Class III agents affect potassium (K+) efflux.
Who discovered antiarrhythmic drugs?
In the late 1960s Miles Vaughan Williams, a member of the staff in the Oxford Department of Pharmacology and Fellow of Hertford College (1955-85), introduced a novel classification of drugs used to treat cardiac arrhythmias.
Which drug is classic antiarrhythmic drug?
The original antiarrhythmic drugs (quinidine and digitalis) The latter presaged future important discoveries in antiarrhythmic therapy.
What is the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmics?
Antiarrhythmic agents act by blocking the membrane sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, but no agent has exclusive action on a given type of channel. Arrhythmias resulting from reentry form the largest group of clinically significant arrhythmias. Most arrhythmias result from depressed sodium channel function.
What is a Class 5 antiarrhythmic?
Miscellaneous. Digoxin, Adenosine, Magnesium sulfate, Trimagnesium dicitrate.
What are the 4 classes of antiarrhythmic drugs?
Antiarrhythmic drug classes:
- Class I – Sodium-channel blockers.
- Class II – Beta-blockers.
- Class III – Potassium-channel blockers.
- Class IV – Calcium-channel blockers.
- Miscellaneous – adenosine. – electrolyte supplement (magnesium and potassium salts) – digitalis compounds (cardiac glycosides)
What do antiarrhythmics do?
Antiarrhythmic drugs are medications used to convert the arrhythmia to a normal sinus rhythm or to prevent an arrhythmia.
What are the different types of antiarrhythmic drugs?
Class I – Sodium-channel blockers
What are Class 1c drugs?
Propafenone, sold under the brand name Rythmol among others, is a class 1C anti-arrhythmic medication, which treats illnesses associated with rapid heart beats such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias .
What are some antiarrhythmic medications?
Antiarrhythmics are a class of medications that suppress abnormal heart rhythms, which are called cardiac arrhythmias. These medications help treat arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. There are several types of antiarrhythmic agents, including beta blockers and ion channel blockers.
Are antiarrhythmic drugs safe?
While the risk of several antiarrhythmic drugs was noted for high-risk patients, it was assumed that they would be safe for patients with few risk factors. Perhaps physicians and even authorities assume that drugs that have been on the market for many years without serious complaints are safe.