CARDIAC GLUCOSIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Cardiac glucosides, also known as cardiac glycosides, are a class of organic compounds derived from plants and have significant effects on the cardiovascular system. These compounds primarily target the heart muscle and are widely used in the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions.
Cardiac glucosides exert their pharmacological effects by modulating the activity of sodium-potassium ATPase, an enzyme responsible for maintaining the proper balance of ions across the cell membrane. They specifically inhibit this enzyme, resulting in an accumulation of intracellular sodium and an increased intracellular concentration of calcium ions. This leads to enhanced myocardial contractility and improved cardiac output.
In medical practice, cardiac glucosides are commonly prescribed to manage heart failure, a condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively. By increasing myocardial contractility, these compounds improve the heart's pumping action, thereby alleviating symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. They also have indirect effects on the vasculature, increasing renal blood flow and promoting diuresis, which further contributes to the management of heart failure.
It is essential to note that cardiac glucosides have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that their dosage must be carefully monitored to ensure optimal therapeutic benefits without causing harmful side effects. Additionally, their use requires close medical supervision due to potential interactions with other medications and the possibility of toxicity if taken in excessive amounts.
In conclusion, cardiac glucosides are a class of drugs derived from plants that have significant effects on the cardiovascular system, primarily targeting the heart muscle. They increase myocardial contractility, leading to improved cardiac output and are widely used in the management of heart failure.
Common Misspellings for CARDIAC GLUCOSIDE
- xardiac glucoside
- vardiac glucoside
- fardiac glucoside
- dardiac glucoside
- czrdiac glucoside
- csrdiac glucoside
- cwrdiac glucoside
- cqrdiac glucoside
- caediac glucoside
- caddiac glucoside
- cafdiac glucoside
- catdiac glucoside
- ca5diac glucoside
- ca4diac glucoside
- carsiac glucoside
- carxiac glucoside
- carciac glucoside
- carfiac glucoside
- carriac glucoside
Etymology of CARDIAC GLUCOSIDE
The etymology of the term "cardiac glucoside" can be broken down as follows:
1. Cardiac: The term "cardiac" comes from the Latin word "cardiacus", which is derived from the Greek word "kardiakos". It refers to something related to the heart. In medical terminology, "cardiac" is used to describe anything associated with the heart or heart-related conditions.
2. Glucoside: The term "glucoside" is derived from the Greek word "glukus", meaning sweet, and the suffix "-ide", denoting a chemical compound. Glucosides are a type of organic compounds that consist of a glucose molecule linked to another compound via a covalent bond.
Therefore, when combined, "cardiac glucoside" refers to a specific type of compound or substance that affects or relates to the heart and contains a glucose molecule within its structure.
Similar spelling word for CARDIAC GLUCOSIDE
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