Beginners guide to cardiac pharmacology
Charlotte Pace
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Drugs used to treat heart disease and heart failure are divided into categories depending on their mode of action. The three main groups are diuretics to remove excess fluid, positive inotropes to improve contractility, and neurohormonal inhibitors that prevent activation of compensatory mechanisms. Drugs used to treat arrhythmias are divided into those that target tachyarrhythmias, and those that act on bradyarrhythmias. All drugs used in cardiac patients can have adverse effects and so it is vital that veterinary nurses know how they work and how to monitor them.


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