ARRHYTHMIAS-DRUG CLASSES

SUMMARY

1. Class 1 drugs: sodium channel blockers that slow electrical conduction. Class 1C (Flecainide): prolongs QT interval.
2. Class 2: beta-blockers decrease HR & BP by blocking sympathetic effects.

3. Class 3 (Amiodarone): prolong QT interval.
4. Class 4: CCB slow cardiac conduction, similar to class 2 drugs.

5. Digoxin: has anti-arrhythmic effects & used to treat HF.

6. Adenosine: slows conduction in the AV node and is used for conversion of SVT to NSR. Induces coronary vasodilation & depresses LV function. Has a short half-life.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].