Angina

Angina

Anginal pain is a result of an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
Pharmacological management is aimed at prevention of myocardial ischemia and pain as well as prevention of myocardial infarction and death.

Anginal pain is managed with organic nitrates, beta adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blockers, and ranolazine.
In addition, clients with chronic stable angina should concurrently take an antiplatelet agent, such as aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix), a cholesterollowering agent, and an ACE inhibitor to prevent myocardial infarction and death.
Organic Nitrates
Select Prototype Medication:
Nitroglycerin
Sublingual tablet: Nitrostat
Translingual spray: Nitrolingual
Topical ointment: Nitro-Bid
Transderm patch: Nitro-Dur
Intravenous: Nitro-Bid IV
Other Medications:
Sublingual: isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Oral: isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur)
Expected Pharmacological Action
In chronic stable exertional angina, nitroglycerin (NTG) dilates veins and decreases venous return (preload), which decreases cardiac oxygen demand.
In variant (Prinzmetal’s or vasospastic) angina, nitroglycerin prevents or reduces coronary artery spasm, thus increasing oxygen supply.
Therapeutic Uses
Treatment of acute angina attack
Prophylaxis of chronic stable angina or variant angina
Side/Adverse Effects
Contraindications/Precautions
Nitroglycerin is Pregnancy Risk Category C.
This medication is contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity to nitrates.
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in clients with traumatic head injury because the medication can increase intracranial pressure.
Use cautiously in clients taking antihypertensive medications and clients who have renal or liver dysfunction.
Interactions
Nursing Administration




Treatment of Anginal Attack
Instruct the client to stop activity.
The client should take a dose of rapid-acting nitroglycerin immediately.
If pain is unrelieved in 5 min, the client should call 9-1-1 or be driven to an emergency department.
The client can take up to two more doses at 5 min intervals.

Advise clients not to stop taking long-acting nitroglycerin abruptly and follow the provider’s instructions.
Advise clients who have angina to record pain frequency, intensity, duration, and location. The provider should be notified if attacks increase in frequency, intensity, and/or duration.
Nursing Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness
Depending on therapeutic intent, effectiveness may be evidenced by:
Prevention of acute anginal attacks
Long-term management of stable angina
Control of perioperative blood pressure
Control of heart failure following acute MI
Antianginal Agent
Select Prototype Medication:
Ranolazine (Ranexa)
Expected Pharmacological Action
Lowers cardiac oxygen demand and thereby improves exercise tolerance and decreases pain
Therapeutic Uses
Chronic stable angina in combination with amlodipine (Norvasc), a beta adrenergic blocker or an organic nitrate.
Side/Adverse Effects
Contraindications/Precautions
Ranolazine is contraindicated in clients who have QT prolongation or in clients taking other medications that can result in QT prolongation.
This medication is contraindicated in clients who have liver dysfunction.
Use cautiously in older adult clients.
Interactions
Nursing Administration
Administer as an extended release oral tablet, twice daily.
Obtain baseline and monitor ECG for QT prolongation.
Obtain baseline and monitor digoxin level with concurrent use.
Nursing Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness
Depending on therapeutic intent, effectiveness may be evidenced by:
Prevention of acute anginal attacks
Long-term management of stable angina