CVS Pharmacology Important One-liners

Important topics in CVS Pharmacology 

• RAAS Inhibitors
  • MOA: RAAS Inhibitors of ACE/ARB
  • Angiotensin-1 Receptor Blockers
  • Drugs in AT-1 Receptor Blockers
• Calcium Channel Blockers
  • CCB Types
  • Fibrates
  • New Hypolipidemic Drugs
• Hypertension
  • Choice of Antihypertensives
• Drugs For Heart Failure
  • Drugs for CHF
  • b Blockers
  • Symptoms Relief in HF
• Cardiac Glycosides Digitalis
  • Therapeutic Index
• Arrhythmias
  • Antiarrhythmic Drugs
  • Tachyarrhythmias
  • Class 4 Antiarrhythmic Drugs
• Myocardial Infarction
  • Types of Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Management

Also read: Exam-Oriented Neoplasia Questions and Answers

Mechanism of Action : RAAS Inhibitors Of ACE/ARB

Eg; ACE inhibitors/ ARB

Decreases aldosterone secretion from adrenal gland

↓

Causes sodium loss in urine: Diuretic action

↓

Increase in blood potassium

↓

Causes hyperkalemia as side effect

ACE inhibitors like drugs are avoided with potassium sparing diuretics. This is because both produce hyperkalemia. Potassium-sparing diuretics:

• Spironolactone
• Eplerenone
• Amiloride
• Triamterene

Drugs in ACE Inhibitors 

Mnemonic: CRPF BELT QM

• Captopril
• Ramipril
• Perindopril
• Fosinopril
• Benazepril
• Enalapril
• Lisinopril
• Trandolapril
• Quinap
• Moexip

Also read: INI-CET May' 25 Results are Out Now

ACE Inhibitor-Side Effects (Mnemonic: CAPTOPRIL) 

• Cough (dry cough)
• Angioedema
• Prodrug except (Captopril, Lisnopril)
• Taste disturbance – captopril
• Orthostatic hypotension (Decrease BP) Seen with ACEI + thiazides : D/t additive hypertensive effect.
• Pregnancy (Category X)
• Renal artery stenosis
• Increase K+ (Hyperkalemia)
• Leukopenia/BM Suppression by captopril

Mechanism of Action : Calcium Channels Blockers

MOA - Block L type of Calcium channels located on the cardiac muscle and smooth muscles of

blood vessels.

Most Preferred CCB: Calcium Channels Blockers

• SVT - Verapamil
• Angina - Diltiazem
• HTN - Dipines

Also read: Fracture Healing and Its Stages

Advantages of CCB over Beta Blockers

• Beta-blockers are bad as they cause:
  • Bronchoconstriction (Asthma)
  • DM
  • Dyslipidemia
  • PVD, like Raynaud's disease, vasospastic angina
• CCBs are safe in asthmatics, as they do not affect the bronchus and do not affect DM or dyslipidemia.
  • DOC: Raynaud's disease, vasospastic angina.

Vasodilators

Artery dilator:

Drugs

• Minoxidil
• Diazoxide
• Hydralazine
• Nicorandil
• Other classes
• CCB
• Fenoldopam (D1 agonist)

Veins dilator

• Nitrates - Nitric oxide donor

Combined dilator

• Nitroprusside - Nitric oxide donor

Other classes

• ACE inhibitors
• Alpha-blockers
• Diuretics (Loop/thiazide)

Also read: Renal Pharmacology—High-Yield For INI-CET

Common Side Effects of Vasodilators 

Mnemonic: FORRR

• Flushing - Due to vasodilation on the skin
• Oedema - Due to leakage of plasma
• Reduce BP (hypotension)
• Reflex tachycardia: Brain receives less blood supply due to hypotension → Increase BP by sympathetic activity
• Renin release, Sympathetic activity → Acts on the kidney and the latter releases renin

Difference Between Nitroprusside and Nitrates

Hypolipidemic Drugs

Mechanism of action: Competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase

Also read: Respiratory Drug : INI-CET Quick Revision Guide

Hypertension

American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for Hypertension

Drugs for Hypertensive Emergency

• Now – Nicardipine (DOC)
• Nobody – Nitroprusside
• C - Clonidine
• A: ACEI: Enalaprilat IV
• N: Nitrates, Nifedipine
• H: Hydralazine
• E: Esmolol, Labetalol
• L: Loop diuretics
• P: Phenoxybenzamine
• U: Urapidil (a 1 blocker)
• Finally: Fenoldapam (D1 receptors agonist)

Drugs not used in Hypertensive Emergency

• Thiazides: Not effective in severe HTN
• AT1 receptor blockers (Sartan)

Also read: Drugs for Anemia & Hemostasis – INI-CET Essentials

Verapamil and Diltiazem

• Calcium Channels Blocker Non-DHP type
• Absolutely contraindicated in CHF
• Reduce cardiac output
• No cardioprotective action
• Increase mortality in CHF

Important One-liners in CVS Pharmacology 

• Hyperfiltration → Leads to albuminuria (hallmark)
• Block L type of Calcium channels located on the cardiac muscle and smooth muscles of blood vessels.
• Beta-blockers also block SA and AV nodes and should never be combined with verapamil and diltiazem → Cardiac arrest.
• Most cardiac specific CCB → Blocks SA/AV Node.
• Specific CCB used in migraine headaches: flunarizine.
• Sustained release oral preparation causes slow and gradual absorption, leading to slow vasodilation and less risk of causing reflex tachycardia.
• Nimodipine: Use: In Mx of cerebral vasospasm in SAH or ICH.
• Nitrates with PDE Inhibitors → ↑ Massive vasodilation → Hypotension → Sudden death.
• Nitroprusside: Fastest-acting antihypertensive drug → Action ~30 seconds
• Ischemic pain in heart due to coronary artery blockage
• DOC for acute angina - Sublingual nitrates
• Resins Also called Bile acid binders (sequestrants)
• Fibrates Also called lipoprotein lipase activators
• Statins should be taken after a meal
• Fibrates should be taken before a meal
• Hypolipidemic drugs do not have acute pancreatitis as a side effect.
• In asthmatics having angina, HOCM, or aortic dissection: CCB non-DHP type (Verapamil or Diltiazem)
• Mannitol (diuretic) absolutely contraindicated in CHF, Because it increases preload
• Natriuretic peptides are degraded by neprilysin enzyme or NEP
• Sacubitril: NEP inhibitor - approved drug for CHF
• Racecadrotril and Ecadrotil: NEP inhibitor - under trial
• Omapatrilat and Sampatrilat: Dual NEP and ACE inhibitor - under trial
• DOC for acute decompensated HF due to beta blocker overdose

Also read: Pharmacology Image Based Questions for NEET PG 2025

To scale up your NEET PG Exam preparation with the best-in-class video lectures in हिंglish, QBank, Mock Tests and more, download the PrepLadder App!

Download PrepLadder's NEET PG preparation app for Android

Download PrepLadder's NEET PG preparation app for iOS