Abstract

A STUDY ON POTENTIAL DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS IN CARDIAC ICU PATIENTS

R. Srinidhi, B. Lakshmi Nikhila, Simhadri Sugnaneswary*, G. Susmitha and Shetty Mallikarjun

ABSTRACT

Background: Drug interactions occurs when a substance(drug) affects the activity of a drug when both are administered together. This action may be synergistic or antagonist. Most of the drug interactions observed are pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. Pharmacodynamic interactions like beta blockers bring out a variety of pharmacological effects, including reduction in heart rate and depression of AV node. Methodology: Total of 250 patients were taken into consideration. The purpose of the study is to evaluate pDDI’s and its associated factors in cardiac ICU patients, to identify the prevalence drug-drug interactions and the co-mordities. The study measures used are bedside clinical data, case sheets, drug charts of patients, Micromedex software. The demographic details of patients from case sheets were collected and patients drug charts were screened for pDDI’s using Micromedex, except the drugs which are included in GDMT. The screened interactions were analyzed statistically using chi-square and spearman’s correlation test with p valve of 0.05 or less. Results: Among 250 patients, 161 (64.4%) are male and 89(35.6%) are female and interactions were found in 140 patients. Patients who stayed in ICU for more than 2 days had significantly a greater number of pDDI’s compared to those who stayed for 2 days or less. Most of the admissions to ICU are having coronary artery disease (CAD). Conclusion: Through our study we conclude that factors influencing pDDI’s are polypharmacy, comorbid, patient conditions, length of ICU stay and number of treating physicians are frequently seen among hospitalized patients in cardiology ICU.

Keywords: GDMT, Co-mordities, Micromedex, Polypharmacy.