Question for paramedics?

Question

Do barbiturates affect the cardiovascular system directly as well as through the CNS?

Answer 1

Not really.

Barbituates are are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and CNS depression affects the whole body, including the CV system.

Barbituates work by binding to the GABA receptor at the alpha subunit, which are binding sites distinct from GABA itself (and also different from the benzodiazepine binding site). Barbiturates potentiate the effect of GABA at this receptor. In addition, barbiturates also block the AMPA receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS.

So, by producing profound CNS depression, one is going to affect the CV system if proper precautions are not taken, but barbituates do not work on the CV system directly