Amiodarone

Question 1

Amiodarone Class

Answer 1

Antidysrhythmin Class III

Question 2

Amiodarone Action

Answer 2

Slows heart rate by prolonging the duration of the action potential and refractory periods; relaxes smooth muscles, causing vasodilation especially in coronary arteries; also has anti-anginal and sympatholytic properties

Question 3

Amiodarone Indications

Answer 3

V-Fib, hemodynamically unstable V-Tach, SVT, a-fib, a-flutter, and junctional tachycardia; also used to treat non-exertional angina

Question 4

Amiodarone Contraindications

Answer 4

Hypersensitivity, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block, sick sinus syndrome, bradycardia, cariogenic shock

Question 5

Amiodarone Onset

Answer 5

Immediate

Question 6

Amiodarone Durations

Answer 6

30-45 min

Question 7

Amiodarone Adult dose - pulseless v-fib or v-tach (arrest):

Answer 7

300 mg IV/IO, then 150 mg in 3–5 minutes if needed

Question 8

Amiodarone Adult dose - V-Tach with a pulse:

Answer 8

150 mg IVPB over 10 minutes (15 mg/min) repeated PRN or 360 mg over 6 hours (1 mg/min)

Question 9

Amiodarone Adult dose - Maintenance infusion:

Answer 9

540 mg IVPB over 18 hours (0.5 mg/min) or 2.2 g IVPB over 24 hours

Question 10

Amiodarone Pedi dose - pulseless v-fib or v-tach (arrest)

Answer 10

5 mg/kg IV/IO, repeated PRN (300 mg single dose max, 15 mg/kg total daily max)

Question 11

Amiodarone Pedi dose - V-Tach with a pulse:

Answer 11

5 mg/kg over 20–60 minutes (15 mg/kg total daily max)

Question 12

Amiodarone side effects

Answer 12

Headach, dizzyness, hypotension, CHF

Question 13

Amiodarone interactions

Answer 13

Increases digoxin levels and enhances other ventricular antiarrhythmics, incompatible with sodium bircarbante, heparin and aminophylline

Question 14

Amiodarone special considerations

Answer 14

Use caution in children and pts with goiter, hx or thyroid dysfunction, CHF, electrolyte