Drugs used to treat patients with Congenital Heart Conditions

Not all patients with cardiac problems will require the use of medication. If the patient does need it, the drugs prescribed will depend on the nature of the heart condition, and the degree of symptoms they are showing. All of the drugs have a chemical or generic name which identifies the ‘ingredients’ of the medication, but the pharmaceutical companies which make the drugs also give them a company or proprietary name, so there may be several names for the same drug.

Anti-arrhythmic Drugs There are many anti-arrhythmic drugs such as Verapamil, Sotalol, Disopyramide, Lignocaine, Mexilitene, Flecainide, and Amiodarone. They are used to control arrhythmias - irregular or abnormal heartbeats
Antibiotics These are used to treat infection as in patients without heart problems, but they are also used as a preventative measure on occasions where there is danger of bacteria getting into the blood stream and attacking the susceptible areas of the heart, a condition called Bacterial Endocarditis. The most frequent occasion for prophylactic antibiotic cover is before dental treatments, but would also need to be considered for ear piercing and tattooing.
Anticoagulants These drugs thin the blood and are used in patients who have an artificial heart valve, to prevent blood clots forming in the valve. Warfarin is the drug used and regular blood tests are essential to assess the amount of thinning and to adjust the dose, home testing kits are now suitable for many patients to use. All patients on this drug should carry a card with them detailing the dose and result of the latest blood test, so that they receive the correct treatment in an emergency.Any medicines containing Aspirin should be avoided when taking Warfarin, as it is also an anticoagulant. Aspirin is sometimes used in children with heart conditions as it reduces the stickiness of the platelets in the blood. Heparin is used by intravenous infusion to keep the blood thin, for example during heart surgery or cardiac catheters. Sometimes drugs are used to dissolve blood clots, for example streptokinase or TPA. These clots may occur after surgery, catheters or at other times, especially if the blood is very thick (polycythaemic).
Digoxin This increases the force of contraction of the heart muscle making it more efficient, and it also slows down the electrical impulses within the heart. It is used to give extra support to the heart muscle and to slow down the heart if it is beating too fast. It can occasionally make the patient sick or nauseated and they may lose their appetite.
Diuretics Frusemide and Chlorothiazide
These drugs enable the kidneys to produce and excrete more urine. When the heart is not working very efficiently it causes the body to retain fluid within the lungs and the liver. Consequently the lungs become heavier and work less efficiently causing the patient to become breathless, which read more