Cardiovascular Pharmacology Concepts

Richard E. Klabunde, Ph.D.

Tutorial - Vasodilator Drugs

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1. How does dilating arterial resistance vessels decrease arterial pressure?  click here

2. How does dilating venous capacitance vessels decrease venous pressure?  click here

3. Arterial vasodilators are used for what conditions?  click here

4. Venous vasodilators are used for what conditions?  click here

5. What are the pharmacologic mechanisms for each of the following mechanistic classes of vasodilator drugs? What specific drugs (generic names) are FDA-approved in each of these classes?
       -  alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (alpha-blockers)
       -  angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
       -  angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
       -  beta₂-adrenoceptor agonists (b₂-agonists)
       -  calcium-channel blockers
       -  centrally acting sympatholytics
       -  direct acting arterial dilators
       -  endothelin receptor antagonists
       -  ganglionic blockers
       -  nitrodilators
       -  phosphodiesterase inhibitors
       -  potassium-channel openers

6. Which drugs from the above list are used to treat the following conditions?
       -  angina
       -  arterial hypertension
       -  heart failure
       -  pulmonary arterial hypertension

7. Which drugs from the above list are primarily
       -  arterial dilators
       -  mixed (balanced arterial-venous) dilators
       -  venous dilators

 Revised 08/29/06 

DISCLAIMER: These materials are for educational purposes only, and are not a source of medical decision-making advice.

© 2005-2008Ed  Richard E. Klabunde, all rights reserved.