Diltiazem: Cardiac Medication Mini Series, Part Four
Understanding Diltiazem is an important part of your cardiac skillset. It’s indications range from blood pressure management, long term stable angina, to it’s mainstay in the hospital setting: acute rate control of arrhythmias with rapid ventricular rates. This episode will cover Diltiazem’s mechanism of action, its multiple indications for both acute and routine use, as well as important nursing considerations.
Up My Nursing Game is partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for registered nurses. Click here to obtain nursing credit or here for detailed instructions.
Claim free CEs | Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify
Mechanism of Action
EFFECT ON CARDIAC MUSCLE
- Diltiazem inhibits the influx of calcium during depolarization causing a significant negative chronotropic, and to a lesser degree, negative inotropic effect on cardiac muscle.
- The AV node is highly sensitive to Diltiazem, which is why it is used for the treatments of tachyarrhythmias.
EFFECT ON SMOOTH MUSCLE
- As a calcium channel blocker, Diltiazem also increases smooth muscle relaxation which produces arterial vasodilation and lower systemic vascular resistance.
- It’s worth nothing that Diltiazem has a relative sensitivity to cardiac muscle over vascular smooth muscle
Indications
- The primary use for diltiazem is for treating cardiac dysrhythmias with a rapid ventricular rate (i.e. afib, aflutter, and SVT)
- Diltiazem can also be prescribed as an antihypertensive, althought it has mild antihypertensive effects compared to other calcium channel blockers
- Diltiazem can be taken for long-term stable angina treatment
Side Effects
- Hypotension due to arterial vasodilation
- Bradycardia from negative chronotropic effect
- Heart blocks due to the blocking of electrical impulses
- Symptoms of heart failure, including increased peripheral edema
Mentioned in the episode
Understanding Diltiazem is an important part of your cardiac skillset. It's indications range from blood pressure management, long term stable angina, to it's mainstay in the hospital setting: acute rate control of arrhythmias with rapid ventricular rates. This episode will cover Diltiazem's mechanism of action, its multiple indications for both acute and routine use, as well as important nursing considerations.
Mentioned in the episode:
- ICU Advantage: Diltiazem (Cardizem) - CC Meds
- Strong Medicine by Dr. Eric Strong: Antiarrhytmics (Lesson 7 - How to Choose the Right Med and Classic Pitfalls)
Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice questions at nicolekupchikconsulting.com. Use the promo code UPMYGAME20 to get 20% off all products.
Do you need help with your resume, interviewing, or need career coaching? Check out Sarah at New Thing Nurse:
- Get 15% off of her resume and cover letter templates using the promo code UPMYGAME
- Nursing students and new grad career services
- Experienced RN career services
- NP career services
Up My Nursing Game is partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for registered nurses. Click here to obtain nursing credit.
See the show notes at upmynursinggame.com.
Listen On
