Guided Learning - Vasodilator Drugs

(NOTE: Turn off or override browser pop-up blockers.)

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 hat conditions?  click here
5. Answer the following two questions from the list of mechanistic classes of vasodilator drugs: What are the pharmacologic mechanisms? What are the generic names of specific drugs in classes?
   • alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (alpha-blockers)
   • angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
   • angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
   • beta₂-adrenoceptor agonists (β₂-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 list in Question 5 are used to treat the following conditions?
   • angina
   • arterial hypertension
   • heart failure
   • pulmonary arterial hypertension
7. Which drugs from the list in Question 5 are primarily
   • arterial dilators
   • mixed (balanced arterial-venous) dilators
   • venous dilators

Revised 10/28/2023