Calm the Rhythm, Save the Patient: Antiarrhythmics You’ll Never Forget with Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA

<p>Antiarrhythmics don’t have to feel like chaos. In this solo lecture, <strong>CRNA educator Chloe Gomez, DNP, CRNA</strong> breaks down <strong>antiarrhythmic pharmacology</strong> using clear physiology, memorable frameworks, and anesthesia-specific clinical relevance - perfect for <strong>SRNAs, CRNAs, and anesthesia providers</strong> preparing for boards and clinical practice.</p><p>This episode walks step-by-step through the <strong>Vaughan Williams classification system (Class I–IV)</strong> and explains <em>why</em> these drugs work, not just what list they belong to. You’ll learn how antiarrhythmics interact with <strong>sodium, potassium, calcium channels, and beta receptors</strong>, and how those effects translate to changes in <strong>phase 0 depolarization, action potential duration, refractory periods, and conduction velocity</strong>.</p><p>Key topics covered include:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Class I sodium channel blockers</strong> (IA, IB, IC): how they alter phase 0, QRS width, and conduction</p></li><li><p><strong>Class II beta blockers</strong>: AV node effects, rate control, and anesthesia considerations</p></li><li><p><strong>Class III potassium channel blockers</strong>: action potential prolongation, QT interval risk, and torsades</p></li><li><p><strong>Class IV calcium channel blockers</strong>: nodal suppression and hemodynamic effects</p></li><li><p>Why <strong>electrolytes (K⁺, Mg²⁺)</strong> matter when using antiarrhythmics</p></li><li><p>How <strong>antiarrhythmics can become pro-arrhythmic</strong></p></li><li><p>What anesthesia providers must watch for in the <strong>OR, ICU, and PACU</strong></p></li></ul><p>This lecture emphasizes <strong>mechanism-based understanding</strong>, tying pharmacology directly to:</p><ul><li><p>ECG changes</p></li><li><p>Perioperative risk stratification</p></li><li><p>Volatile anesthetics and arrhythmia risk</p></li><li><p>Drug interactions common in anesthesia practice</p></li><li><p>Board-style clinical reasoning for the <strong>NBCRNA NCE</strong></p></li></ul><p>If you’ve ever memorized the Vaughan Williams classes and immediately forgotten them, this episode is designed to finally make antiarrhythmics <em>stick</em> - so you can reason through arrhythmias with confidence instead of panic.</p><p>🎧 <em>Antiarrhythmics decoded for anesthesia learners - fewer tables, more understanding, safer practice.</em></p>