Caution should be used with patients who have poor kidney function. Urine
output should be at least 600 mL per day. Patients should not use potassium sup-
plements while taking this group of diuretics. If given with an ACE inhibitor,
hyperkalemia could become severe or life-threatening because both drugs retain
potassium. Gastrointestinal disturbances (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
can occur.A list of potassium-sparing diuretic drugs is provided in the Appendix. Detailed
tables show doses, recommendations, expectations, side effects, contraindications,
and more; available on the book’s Web site (see URL in Appendix).Circulatory Disorders
Circulatory disorders impair the flow of blood throughout the body. Circulatory
drugs are used to restore and maintain circulation. There are four groups of cir-
culatory drugs.1.Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (antithrombotics). Anticoagulants and anti-
platelets prevent platelets from clumping together and lower the risk that
a patient will develop blood clots.
2.Thrombolytics. Thrombolytics are sometimes called clot busters because
they attack and dissolve blood clots that have already formed.
3.Antilipemics. Antilipemics decrease blood lipid concentrations.
4.Peripheral vasodilators. Peripheral vasodilators dilate vessels narrowed
by vasospasm.ANTICOAGULANTS AND ANTIPLATELET
A clot is a thrombus that has formed in an arterial or venous vessel and is caused
by decreased circulation (blood stasis). Anticoagulants such as warfarin and
heparin inhibit clot formation but do not dissolve clots that have already formed.
Anticoagulants are given to patients who are at risk for deep venous throm-
bosis and pulmonary embolism. These patients may have had a myocardial
infarction (MI, heart attack), a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), or have
an artificial heart valve.(^364) CHAPTER 19 Cardiac Circulatory Medications