Cardiovascular Drug Defiinitions

a compound that contains a sugar as part of the molecule

mechanisms of action

a combination of things that serve a common function

affects the force of muscular contractions

affects the rate of rhythmic movements, like the heartbeat

a sudden pushing force

• aka sinoatrial node, sinoauricular node, and sinus node
• a small mass of cardiac muscle fibers
• located in the posterior wall of the right atrium
• acts as the pacemaker

the tenth cranial nerve

the twelve pairs of nerves that are connected with the brain

when the heart goes into a state of tachycardia in order to compensate for something else happening to the body, like an overflow of blood to an organ

affects the conductivity of a nerve fiber

when a body transmits a flow of electricity or heat

the axon of a nerve cell

the long portion of a neuron that conducts impulses away from the cell body

• aka atrioventricular node
• a collection of cardiac fibers
• located at the base of the interatrial septum
• transmits the cardiac impulse initiated by the SA node

the wall between the atria of the heart

congestive heart failure

the range of concentrations that a drug is effective with minimal toxicity

pertaining to an apex

the tip of a body, organ, or part

healthcare provider

to make susceptible

likely to be affected with a disease, infection, or condition

the quality of being poisonous

low potassium levels in blood

a high level of calcium in the blood

insufficient levels of oxygen in blood or tissue

the salts of gluconic acid

an acid formed from the oxidation of glucose and other sugars

preventing or alleviating arrhythmias

substances used to replenish calcium in the body

drugs that relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure

activated by or capable of releasing epinephrine or an epinephrine-like substance, especially in the sympathetic nervous system

• a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs
• can reverse severe low blood pressure, wheezing, severe skin itching, hives, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction injections of this are used to treat anaphylaxis

rapidly progressing, life-threatening allergic reaction

• treats COPD by keeping muscles in throat from constricting
• keeps airways open

regulates activities that conserve and restore energy

dominates in stressful situations causing a "fight or flight" response

usually used to treat migraines

• drugs that neutralize acidity
• treat heart burn, ulcers, etc.

helps keep heart beat steady for people with dysrhythmias

premature ventricular contractions

supraventricular tachycardia

hearing ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external cause

gastrointestinal

dealing with the stomach and intestines

low blood pressure

patient should avoid *medicine* if they have *disease*

a local anesthetic

refers to a delay in the normal flow of electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat

heartache

a condition where a suddenly weakened heart isn't able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs

• a disorder where the SA node fails to signal
• properly, resulting in changes in the heart rate

the way drugs work with other drugs, foods, and beverages

used to treat gastric ulcers

a blood thinner

an antibiotic

used to control seizures

• an insufficient supply of blood to an organ
• usually due to a blocked artery

• aka phlebitis, phlebothrombosis, and venous thrombosis
• when a blood clot forms inside a vein at the site of an inflammation

• deep venous/vein thrombosis
• a blood clot in a major vein that usually develops in the legs and/or pelvis

an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot, that blocks a coronary artery

pertaining to thromboembolism

occlusion of a blood vessel due to a thrombus

a stationary clot formed in a blood vessel or in a chamber of the heart

the process or condition of becoming an embolus

a thrombus that has moved through the bloodstream

• an insoluble protein that is essential to the clotting of blood
• formed from fibrinogen by action of thrombin

• one of three mechanisms that reduces the loss of blood from broken blood vessels
• the three mechanisms are vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and blood clotting (coagulation)

• an enzyme formed in the blood during the clotting process
• causes fibrinogen to change to fibrin

the presence of blood in the urine

hair loss

• Pregnancy Category C n
• no adequate human or animal studies, or adverse fetal effects in animal studies but no available human data

beneath the skin

a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot

a substance that counteracts the actions of another

a drug that reverses the anticoagulant effects of heparin by binding to it

a substance that prevents the clotting of blood

• aka aspirin
• acetylsalicylic acid

• nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
• a large number of drugs exerting anti-inflammatory actions
• examples include aspirin and ibuprofen

a way to prevent infections to artificial valves

pertaining to the liver

the combining of separate elements or substances to make a whole

substances in the blood that are essential to the clotting process

prothrombin (a plasma protein that converts to thrombin)

proconvertin (helps factor III activate factor X)

tissue thromboplastin (helps factor VII activate factor X)

stuart factor (activates factor II)

plasma thromboplastin antecedent (activates factor X)

coming or operating from outside.

any of a group of soluble proteins that combine with and transport fat or other lipids in the blood plasma

any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives

something that is based on another source

• international normalized ratio
• a comparative rating of a patient's prothrombin time (PT) ratio, used as a standard for monitoring the effects of warfarin

a blood test that assesses the clotting ability of blood

chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease

• aka platelets
• an abnormal drop in the number of blood cells involved in forming blood clots

• acting against or destroying blood platelets
•  

• stroke
• cerebrovascular accident

• aka a mini-stroke
• transient ischemic attack
• a brief attack (an hour or less)

pertaining to the brain

caused by a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain

relating to the ilium and the femur.

• the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis
• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Pelvis_diagram.png

used for administration of medication and fluids directly into your veins

the inactive precursor of plasmin, occurring in plasma and converted to plasmin by the action of urokinase.

Relating to, characterized by, or promoting proteolysis.

• the splitting of proteins hydrolysis into simpler, soluble substances, as occurs in digestion.

the chemical alteration or decomposition of a compound with water.

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and is produced in the kidney, excreted in the urine, and used to dissolve blood clots. Also called plasminogen activator.

• To modify, especially to increase, the rate of a chemical reaction

produces fibrinolysis by binding to plasminogen and causing its conversion to plasmin; used as a thrombolytic agent.

the breakdown of fibrin

the middle and thickest layer of the heart wall, composed of cardiac muscle.

any salt of nitric acid; organic nitrates are used in the treatment of angina pectoris.

a colorless, highly corrosive liquid that may give off suffocating brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide on exposure to air.

AKA angina

A thick, pale yellow liquid that is explosive on concussion or exposure to sudden heat, used as a vasodilator in medicine.

causing dilatation of blood vessels.

trademark for a coronary vasodilator (nitroglycerin).

trademark for an antianginal agent (isosorbide dinitrate).

• peripheral vascular disease; a narrowing of blood vessels that restricts blood flow. It mostly occurs in the legs, but is sometimes seen in the arms.
•  

the force against which cardiac muscle shortens

The phase of blood circulation in which the heart's pumping chambers (ventricles) are actively pumping blood. The ventricles are squeezing (contracting) forcefully, and the pressure against the walls of the arteries is at its highest.

blood pressure

• The load to which a muscle is subjected before shortening.
•  

entering through the skin

by mouth

under the tongue

having severe symptoms and a short course.

Medications used to treat high blood pressure.

• A trademark for the drug haloperidol. used to treat schizophrenia
•  

used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder.

sublingual

• A sudden constriction of a blood vessel that reduces the blood flow. Also called angiospasm.

shock resulting from inadequate cardiac function, as from myocardial infarction or mechanical obstruction; characteristics include hypovolemia, hypotension, cold skin, weak pulse, and confusion.

diminished volume of circulating blood in the body.

an accessory or auxiliary agent or measure.

to detach or separate abnormally a small portion from the whole.

low-density lipoprotein; A blood-plasma lipoprotein that is high in cholesterol and low in protein content and that carries cholesterol to cells and tissue; also called bad cholesterol.

Any of a group of conjugated proteins that have at least one lipid component and are the principal means by which lipids are transported in the blood.

Any of several acids formed in the liver that commonly occur in the bile in combination with glycine or taurine as sodium salts.

a fluid secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the small intestine; aids in the emulsification, digestion, and absorption of fat

To generate and separate a substance from cells or bodily fluids

the breakdown of large fat globules into smaller, uniformly distributed particles

• a nonessential amino acid
• used as a nutrient and dietary supplement

Amino acids are small molecules that are used as building blocks for all proteins.

an amino acid often found in nerve and muscle tissues.

symptoms and signs

Fibric acid derivatives or fibrates are regarded as broad-spectrum lipid lowering drugs.

helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood.

the most abundant fatty molecule in most organisms.

large lipoproteins rich in triglycerides

high-density lipoprotein: a circulating lipoprotein that picks up cholesterol in the arteries and deposits it in the liver for reprocessing or excretion.

Muscular pain or tenderness

an abnormally high level of glucose in the blood.

drugs that interfere with the biosynthesis of cholesterol; used to treat hypercholesterolemia.

Formation of a chemical compound by a living organism. Also called biogenesis.

An excess of cholesterol in the blood.

denotes high blood levels of triglycerides

the branch of medicine which deals with any disturbances of body functions, caused by disease

Urine production, as an aspect of fluid balance (fluid volume)

pulmonary vascular resistance; the resistance offered by the vasculature of the lungs that must be overcome to push blood through the circulatory system

Central-acting agents lower your heart rate and reduce your blood pressure. central adrenergic inhibitors, treat several conditions, including high blood pressure, drug and alcohol withdrawal, and hot flashes.

tissue receptors which respond well to epinephrine and norepinephrine but less so to isoprotenerol.

having to do with adrenaline and epinephrine

increase in the caliber of blood vessels (caliber is the diameter of the opening of a tube, in this case a blood vessel)

a measure taken to maintain health and prevent the spread of disease.

central nervous system; The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.

drugs prescribed for hypertension that impede alpha receptors

to slow down or block

any of the postulated adrenergic components of receptor tissues that respond to norepinephrine and to various blocking agents.

anything assumed or taken for granted.

a molecule on the surface or within a cell that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing a specific effect in the cell

The primary effect is on smooth muscle, which it mainly constricts

refers to the particular type of smooth muscle found within, and composing the majority of the wall of blood vessels.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia; refers to the increase in size of the prostate in middle-aged and elderly men

head rush or a dizzy spell, is a form of hypotension in which a person's blood pressure suddenly falls when the person stands up.

any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia

affects the resting heart rate and can be involved in heart failure.

associated with nocturnal asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

colloid osmotic pressure; a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in a blood vessel's plasma (blood/liquid) that usually tends to pull water into the circulatory system

Osmotic pressure is the energy driving osmosis and is important for living organisms because it allows water and nutrients dissolved in water to pass through cell membranes.

The movement of a solvent through a membrane separating two solutions of different concentrations. The solvent from the side of weaker concentration usually moves to the side of the stronger concentration, diluting it, until the concentrations of the solutions are equal on both sides of the membrane.  The pressure exerted by the molecules of the solvent on the membrane they pass through is called osmotic pressure.

a proteolytic enzyme secreted by the kidneys, which plays an important part in the maintenance of blood pressure

any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
• A chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, in which breathing becomes slowed or forced.
•  

spasmodic contraction of the muscular lining of the bronchi, as in asthma, causing difficulty in breathing.

In first-degree AV block, the impulse conducting from atria to ventricles through the AV node is delayed and travels slower than normal.

• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; treats hypertension 
•  

a substance that retards or stops a chemical reaction.

Any of three polypeptide hormones, one of which is a powerful vasoconstrictor, that function in the body in controlling arterial pressure.

any of various agents, as certain nerves or drugs, that narrow blood vessels and thereby maintain or increase blood pressure.

A peptide, such as a small protein, containing many molecules of amino acids, typically between 10 and 100.

A chemical compound that is composed of a chain of two or more amino acids and is usually smaller than a protein.

a physiologically inactive form of angiotensin that is the precursor to angiotensin II

a part of the body that is basically broken

a potent vasopressor agent formed from angiotensin I

any hormone or drug that acts as a vasoconstrictor and increases blood pressure and heart rate.

a measurement of how well your heart is pumping.

recurrent large circumscribed areas of subcutaneous edema; onset is sudden and it disappears within 24 hours; seen mainly in young women, often as an allergic reaction to food or drugs

To limit narrowly; restrict.

An excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity.

Containing, secreting, or resembling serum.

an abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood.

acute renal failure; renal failure associated with burns or other trauma or with acute infection or obstruction of the urinary tract

the occurrence of a change for the worse

A drug that dilates a blood vessel.

One of the small terminal branches of an artery, especially one that connects with a capillary.

Of, at, relating to, or forming a limit, boundary, extremity, or end.

A muscle that dilates a body part, such as a blood vessel or the pupil of the eye.

a muscle that dilates and arteriole

a muscle that dilates a vein

the manner of combination of parts, processes, etc., in order to make up for a loss of something

Muscles that surround the linings of the digestive system, airways, and circulatory system.

the muscle of the heart

A sudden constriction of a coronary artery that deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen

sinoatrial node; The mass of specialized cardiac muscle fibers that normally acts as the "pacemaker" of the heart

atrioventricular node; Highly specialized area of the heart muscle which transmits electrical impulses.

pertaining to the outside, surface, or surrounding area of an organ

Subarachnoid hemorrhage; Loss of blood into the subarachnoid space, the fluid-filled area that surrounds the brain tissue.

the escape of blood from the vessels

the constricted physical state of the blood vessels in the brain

The formation or production of red blood cells

red blood cells

the best, the most reliable

a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body

Peptic ulcer disease; A stomach disorder marked by corrosion of the stomach lining due to the acid in the digestive juices.

intramuscular; within a muscle

a technique in which the skin and subcutaneous tissue are displaced laterally before inserting the needle intramuscularly; used to prevent leakage along the track of the needle and consequent tissue irritation.

removal from the normal position to a side position; stretch the skin before inserting needle and don't let go until needle has been pulled out

a mark left behind on skin from a needle injection

pertaining to the back and the side.

• The air lock technique prevents medication from leaking into the subcutaneous tissues and skin surface as the needle is withdrawn, thereby preventing irritation and staining of tissues. Withdraw desired volume of medication into syringe.
• Draw in an additional 0.2 ml of air.Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle.

help the body break down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars to be used for energy.

a disease in which the red blood cells are abnormally formed, due to an inability to absorb vitamin B12.

Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts.

pertaining to a condition that is temporary or of short duration, usually not recurring.

damage to the optic nerve resulting in a degeneration or destruction of the optic nerve.

• advanced cardiac life support
•  

a step-by-step method of solving a problem or making decisions, as in making a diagnosis.

A measure of the amount of drug that is actually absorbed from a given dose.

a solution administered into a vein through an infusion set that includes a plastic or glass vacuum bottle or bag containing the solution and tubing connecting the bottle to a catheter or a needle in the patient's vein.

usually consists of small pulses of infusion

a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing

A medicine used to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs.

similar to adrenaline. It works by constricting (narrowing) the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar) levels

a medication form of a substance that occurs naturally in the body. It works by improving the pumping strength of the heart and improves blood flow to the kidneys

an antiarrhythmic medication that affects the rhythm of heartbeats. Amiodaroneis used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart)

• involves the introduction of the agent directly through the endotracheal tube in an intubated patient. Generally this route is considered as a last resort for drug administration, and provides a fast, effective means of drug delivery in a patient who requires immediate medication.
• Same as tracheal administration

A tube inserted into the trachea to provide a passageway for air. Also called tracheal tube.

To insert a tube into a hollow organ or body passage.

normal saline; a salt solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride in distilled (vaporized) water that exhibits the same molecular concentration as blood.

Characteristic of normal, healthy functioning

to reduce a solution by adding water