1. Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology Chapter 39 Antiarrhythmic Drugs

4. Antiarrhythmic: Actions #1
Antiarrhythmic drugs are classified according to their effects on the action potential of cardiac cells and their presumed mechanism of action
Class I: have a membrane-stabilizing or anesthetic effect on the cells of the myocardium
Class IA: produce moderate slowing of cardiac conduction; prolong the action potential duration
Class IB: selectively depress cardiac conduction; shorten the action potential duration

5. Antiarrhythmic: Actions #2
Class IC(Sodium channel blockers): profound slowing of conduction; slight effect on repolarization; profound slowing of conduction
Class II(Beta –adrenergic blocker): indirectly block calcium channels and block catecholamine- caused arrhythmias.
Class III(Potassium channel blockers): prolongation of repolarization
Class IV(Calcium Channel blockers): depression of depolarization (phase 4); lightening of phase 1 and 2 of repolarization

7. Antiarrhythmic: Uses and Adverse Reactions
Used to treat premature ventricular contractions; ventricular tachycardia; paroxysmal atrial tachycardia; other atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or flutter; tachycardia when rapid but short-term control of ventricular rate is desirable
CNS reactions: lightheadedness; weakness; somnolence
Cardiovascular reactions: hypotension; arrhythmias; bradycardia
Other: urinary retention; local inflammation

8. Antiarrhythmic: Contraindications
Contraindicated: patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug; during pregnancy and lactation; patients with second- or third-degree AV block (if the patient has no artificial pacemaker), severe congestive heart failure (CHF), aortic stenosis, hypotension, and cardiogenic shock
Antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the potential hazards to the fetus
Quinidine and procainamide are contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis

9. Antiarrhythmic: Precautions
Used cautiously in patients with renal or hepatic disease, electrolyte disturbances, CHF (quinidine, flecainide, and disopyramide), and renal impairment
Disopyramide is used cautiously in patients with myasthenia gravis, urinary retention, and glaucoma and in men with prostate enlargement

10. Nursing Process: Assessment #1
Preadministration assessment:
Take and record the blood pressure, apical and radial pulses, and respiratory rate;
assess the patient’s general condition and include observations such as skin color (pale, cyanotic, flushed),
orientation, level of consciousness, and patient’s general status (such as appears acutely ill or appears somewhat ill);
record any symptoms (subjective data) described by the patient
Review the test results before the first dose is given

11. Nursing Process: Assessment #2
Ongoing assessment:
Take the patient’s blood pressure, apical and radial pulses, and respiratory rate at periodic intervals
Observe the patient for a response to drug therapy, signs of CHF, development of a new cardiac arrhythmia, or worsening of the arrhythmia being treated
Report to the primary health care provider any abnormalities or significant interval changes of the ECG

12. NURSING ALERT
When giving an oral antiarrhythmic drug, withhold the drug and immediately notify the primary health care provider when the pulse rate is above 120 bpm or below 60 bpm

13. Nursing Process: Diagnoses
Nausea related to antiarrhythmic drugs
Urinary Retention related to cholinergic blocking effects of drugs
Impaired Oral Mucous Membranes related to dry mouth
Risk for Injury related to dizziness, lightheadedness
Risk for Infection related to agranulocytosis

14. Nursing Process: Planning
The expected outcomes for the patient depend on the reason for administration of the antiarrhythmic drug but may include:
Optimal therapeutic response to drug therapy
Supporting of patient’s needs related to management of adverse reactions
Understanding of and complying with prescribed drug regimen

15. Nursing Process: Implementation #1
Promoting an optimal response to therapy
Administering quinidine: monitor serum quinidine levels during administration of the drug; normal therapeutic levels range between 2 and 6 mg/mL

16. Nursing Process: Implementation #2
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering disopyramide: monitor cardiac rhythm and blood pressure during therapy; monitor the urinary output closely, especially during the initial period of therapy

17. Nursing Process: Implementation #3
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering lidocaine:
Constant cardiac monitoring is essential when this drug is administered IV
Observe the patient closely for signs of respiratory depression, bradycardia, change in mental status, respiratory arrest, convulsions, and hypotension

18. Nursing Process: Implementation #4
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering lidocaine (cont.)
An oropharyngeal airway and suction equipment are kept at the bedside in case convulsions should occur;
life support equipment and vasopressors are also readily available in case of adverse reaction

19. Nursing Process: Implementation #5
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering mexiletine:
dosage of mexiletine must be individualized; therefore, monitor vital signs at frequent intervals during initial therapy;
report any changes in the pulse rate or rhythm to the primary health care provider;
adverse effects related to the CNS or GI tract may occur during initial therapy and must be reported to the primary health care provider

20. Nursing Process: Implementation #6
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering flecainide and propafenone:
When administering flecainide, carefully monitor the patient for cardiac arrhythmias; life support equipment, including pacemaker, should be kept on standby during administration;
observe the patient for a response to drug therapy, signs of CHF, the development of a new cardiac arrhythmia, or worsening of the arrhythmia being treated

21. Nursing Process: Implementation #7
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering flecainide and propafenone: (cont.)
Propafenone is administered orally every 8 hours;
any previously given antiarrhythmic drug should be discontinued before propafenone therapy is started;
patient must be monitored carefully;
periodic ECG monitoring is usually ordered to evaluate the effects of the drug on cardiac conduction

22. Nursing Process: Implementation #8
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering propranolol:
cardiac monitoring is recommended when propranolol is given IV because severe bradycardia and hypotension may occur;
obtain written instructions from the primary health care provider for propranolol administration;
monitor the ECG frequently for cardiac arrhythmias;
monitor the blood pressure and pulse frequently during the dosage adjustment period and periodically throughout therapy

23. Nursing Process: Implementation #9
Promoting an optimal response to therapy (cont.)
Administering verapamil:
monitor the patient’s blood pressure and cardiac rhythm carefully while the drug is being titrated (dosage increased or decreased based on established criteria by the primary health care provider);
notify the primary health care provider if bradycardia or hypotension occurs

24. Nursing Process: Implementation #10
Monitoring and managing patient needs:
Nausea: advise the patient that eating small meals frequently may be better tolerated than three full meals daily;
tell the patient to avoid lying flat for approximately 2 hours after meals;
administer the drug with meals to decrease GI effects
Urinary retention: monitor the urinary output closely, especially during the initial period of therapy; if the patient’s intake is sufficient but the output is low, the lower abdomen is palpated for bladder distention

25. Nursing Process: Implementation #11
Monitoring and managing patient needs (cont.)
Impaired oral mucous membranes:
provide an adequate amount of fluid and instruct the patient to take frequent sips of water to relieve this problem;
sucking on hard candy (preferably sugarless candy) will help to keep mouth moist
Risk for injury: assist patients who are not on complete bed rest to ambulate until these symptoms subside;
postural hypotension also may occur during the first few weeks of disopyramide therapy—patient is advised to make position changes slowly

26. Nursing Process: Implementation #12
Monitoring and managing patient needs (cont.)
Risk for infection:
report any signs of agranulocytosis such as fever, chills, sore throat, or unusual bleeding or bruising;
complete blood count is usually ordered every 2 to 3 weeks during the first 3 months of therapy
Potential complication:
proarrhythmic effects: proarrhythmic effects may occur, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation

27. Nursing Process: Implementation #13
Monitoring and managing patient needs (cont.)
Potential complication:
quinidine toxicity: monitor the patient for the most common adverse reactions associated with quinidine (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or anorexia);
report any quinidine levels greater than 6 mcg/mL
and the occurrence of any of the following signs or symptoms of cinchonism: ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, headache, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, and lightheadedness

28. Nursing Process: Implementation #14
Educating the patient and family:
Discuss the adverse drug effects that may occur with the patient and family
To ensure compliance with the prescribed drug regimen, emphasize the importance of taking these drugs exactly as prescribed
Teach the patient or a family member how to take the pulse rate and report any changes in the pulse rate or rhythm to the primary health care provider

29. Nursing Process: Evaluation #1
The therapeutic response is achieved and the arrhythmia is controlled
Adverse reactions are identified, reported to the primary health care provider, and managed successfully with appropriate nursing interventions
The patient reports no nausea or urinary retention; oral mucous membranes are intact and moist; no symptoms of infection experienced; no evidence of injury seen

30. Nursing Process: Evaluation #2
The patient and family demonstrate an understanding of the drug regimen
The patient verbalizes the importance of continued follow-up care
The patient verbalizes the importance of complying with the prescribed treatment regimen
The patient complies with the prescribed drug regimen

31. Question #1 Is the following statement true or false?
The heart has cardiac and nerve tissue; the nerves transmit an electrical impulse through the heart, which makes the muscles contract (a heartbeat).

32. Answer to Question #1 True
The heart has cardiac and nerve tissue; the nerves transmit an electrical impulse through the heart, which makes the muscles contract (a heartbeat).

33. Question #2
What class of antiarrhythmic drugs blocks impulses and is classified as calcium channel blockers?
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV

34. Answer to Question #2 D
Antiarrhythmic drugs include drugs that block impulses and are classified as follows: class I— sodium channel blockers; class II—beta-adrenergic blockers; class III—potassium channel blockers; and class IV—calcium channel blockers. These drugs are also used for treating hypertension and heart failure.