Question for you physiology whizzes

PennyLane, RN · Oct 1, 2003

I seem to remember the lungs, as well, mainly because it seemed so odd.

2banurse · Oct 1, 2003

As per my A&P textbook definition.

"Angiotensin II: A hormone that causes an elevation in systemic BP, stimulates the secretion of aldosterone, promotes thirst, and causes the release of antidiuretic hormone; angiotensin-converting enzyme in lung capillaries convert angiotensin I into angiotensin II."

Kris

passing thru · Oct 1, 2003

Woops ! Thought it said psychology whizzes !

That is real interesting !

A fun nursing fact !

Lotsa angiotensin meds in telemetry, ccu, icu, all cardiac areas.

STUDY !! :)

twarlik · Oct 2, 2003

Thanks, Kris!

PJMommy · Oct 2, 2003

Ah yes...another fun factoid. This is how I remember angioedema as a major side effect of ACE-I's -- because the whole throat/mouth swelling is "close to" the lungs. :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 2, 2003

I think that's also why these drugs cause a dry cough in so many patients. I was on Vasotec for years, and during that entire time I struggled terribly with my asthma---had a constant tickle in my throat, which caused me to cough and my airways to constrict, and I spent thousands of dollars on different types of asthma medications which did absolutely nothing to control it. Finally, last winter my doc sent me to a pulmonologist, who figured out right away what my problem was. He switched me to Cozaar, and voila! no more coughing!! Now my asthma flares up only when I have a cold or am exposed to smoke, perfume etc. and even then it's never been severe enough to require more than my rescue inhaler.

passing thru · Oct 2, 2003

mjl,

that IS awesome ! Imagine how may thousand, maybe millions are suffering needlessly, simply because of a drug side effect !

I dispense lots of vasotec. and I see every one of them with inhalers.

You were lucky to see a good pulmo man.

Anyone know the other common ACE-1 's ??

I think I'll start some teaching and make some inquiries of my patients on vasotec.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 2, 2003

I did the same thing for some of my LTC residents when I was a care manager.......we had one lady with a chronic cough who'd been worked up in every way imaginable, and no cause was ever found. Then I looked at her meds and found she was on Monopril, talked to her MD and told him what my own experience had been with ACE inhibitors, so he took her off the Monopril and put her on Hyzaar. Lo and behold, a month later the cough was GONE.

Some of the other meds in this category include Lisinopril, Accupril, and enaprilat or enalapril (sp?) which is the generic equivalent of Vasotec. They don't cause trouble for everyone, I think it's only 10-20% of patients who can't tolerate them, but it's worth investigating in any pt. with a cough that can't be attributed to other causes.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 2, 2003

YES !!! I LOVED this !!! (only afterI finally got it down, and tortured my brain to remember it...) :rolleyes:

The JG cells in the afferent arterioles of the reneal glomerulus produce renin.

The renin circulates into the bloodstream... goes first to the LIVER...

In the liver it is converted to angiotensin I...

From there it travels to the LUNGS where it is further converted to angiotensin II (an active hormone).. by the enzyme ACE.

Voila !!! :cool:

passing thru · Oct 2, 2003

I look up ace inhibitors and read the list of meds. very interesting....these posts stimulate our learning and

re-learning!! stimulating the grey matter, in my case.....

most of this stuff, I memorized til the exams,

and then,

slowly forgot....sorry to say....