cardiac glycoside
Definition
Noun: - A type of medicinal compound: A cardiac glycoside is a naturally occurring substance obtained from certain plants. Its primary medical use is to stimulate the heart muscle, increasing the strength and efficiency of heart contractions. It is used in the treatment of specific heart conditions, such as heart failure and certain arrhythmias.
Usage
Cardiac glycosides are used as a specific class of medication in cardiology. - The doctor prescribed a cardiac glycoside to help improve her heart's pumping ability. - Digitalis is a well-known example of a cardiac glycoside derived from the foxglove plant.
Advanced Usage
- Therapeutic window: The effective and safe dosage range for a cardiac glycoside is narrow; too little has no effect, while too much can be toxic.
- Monitoring blood levels is crucial when a patient is on a cardiac glycoside due to its narrow therapeutic window.
Variants and Related Words
- Glycoside (n): A broader class of molecules to which cardiac glycosides belong. A glycoside is a compound formed from a sugar and another functional group.
- Digitalis (n): A common name for a cardiac glycoside preparation derived from the foxglove plant ().
- Digoxin (n): A specific, purified cardiac glycoside medication commonly used in modern practice.
Synonyms
- Cardiotonic steroid: A more technical synonym that highlights the steroid structure of the compound and its effect on the heart.
- Digitalis glycoside: A synonym that references the original plant source.
Related Phrases
- Cardiac glycoside toxicity: A condition resulting from an excessive dose, which can cause nausea, visual disturbances, and dangerous heart rhythms.
- The patient was admitted for management of cardiac glycoside toxicity.
Noun
-
obtained from a number of plants and used to stimulate the heart in cases of heart failure
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