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Chapter 14: Antiarrhythmic Drugs
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A 76-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic heart disease is being considered for treatment with procainamide. She is already receiving digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and potassium supplements for her cardiac condition.
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In deciding on a treatment regimen with procainamide for this patient, which of the following statements is most correct?
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(A) A possible drug interaction with digoxin suggests that digoxin blood levels should be obtained before and after starting procainamide
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(B) Hyperkalemia should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of procainamide toxicity
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(C) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has asthma because it has a β-blocking effect
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(D) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has angina because it has a β-agonist effect
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(E) Procainamide is not active by the oral route
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Hyperkalemia facilitates procainamide toxicity. Procainamide is active by the oral route and has a duration of action of 2–4 h (in the prompt-release form). Procainamide has no significant documented interaction with digoxin and no significant β-agonist or β-blocking action. The answer is B.
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A 76-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic heart disease is being considered for treatment with procainamide. She is already receiving digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and potassium supplements for her cardiac condition.
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If this patient should take an overdose and manifest severe acute procainamide toxicity with markedly prolonged QRS, which of the following should be given immediately?
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(A) A calcium chelator such as EDTA
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The most effective therapy for procainamide toxicity appears to be concentrated sodium lactate. This drug may (1) increase sodium current by increasing the sodium ion gradient and (2) reduce drug-receptor binding by alkalinizing the tissue. The answer is E.
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A 57-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with chest pain and a fast irregular heart rhythm. The ECG shows an inferior myocardial infarction and ventricular tachycardia. Lidocaine is ordered. When used as an antiarrhythmic drug, lidocaine typically
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(A) Increases action potential duration
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(B) Increases contractility
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(C) Increases PR interval
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(D) Reduces abnormal automaticity
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(E) Reduces resting potential
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Lidocaine reduces automaticity in the ventricles; the drug ...