Cardiac Medications Flashcards
What is the classification of
Adenosine?
Antiarrhythmic and Endogenous Nucleoside
What are the indications for Adenosine?
Conversion and termination of supraventricular tachycardias.
What is the adult dose and proper administration of Adenosine?
6 mg IV rapid push first dose, 12 mg IV rapid push follow-up dose.
Administer into a proximal vein as close to central circulation as possible. Flush line immediately after administration, preferably with a second flush attached to the same line.
Ensure an ECG is being recorded during administration of Adenosine.
What is the paediatric dosing for Adenosine?
Initial dose: 0.1 mg/kg to a maximum of 6 mg IV rapid push (60 kg weight for max dose).
Follow-up dose: 0.2 mg/kg to maximum of 12 mg IV rapid push.
What is the mechanism of action of Adenosine?
Adenosine slows conduction of electrical impulses through the AV node.
What are precautions for Adenosine administration?
- Arrhythmias, usually transient: Have resus equipment immediately available.
- VF after administration is associated with patients taking digoxin, or digoxin and verapamil.
- Adenosine can worsen bronchoconstriction in patients with COPD or asthma.
What are the potential drug interactions of Adenosine?
- Methylxanthines (such as caffeine and theophylline) competitively antagonize the receptor; higher doses may be required.
- Carbamazepine pay produce high degrees of heart block during adenosine use.
- Dipyridamole potentiates effect of adenosine.
What is the classification of Amiodarone?
Class 3 Antiarrhythmic
What are the indications of Amiodarone?
- VFib
- Pulseless VTach
- Unstable VTach
- Recurrent VTach following cardio version
What are the contraindications or Amiodarone administration?
- Hypersensitivity
- Cardiogenic Shock
- Marked symptomatic sinus bradycardia
- Second or third-degree AV node block.
What are the adult dosages of Amiodarone?
- VFib and pulseless VTach: 300mg IV push, repeat 150 mg IV after 10 minutes if VF/pVT persists
- Unstable VTach, recurrent VTach following cardioversion: 150mg IV over 10 minutes.
- Stable monomorphic Wide Complex Tachcardia or symptomatic runs of WCT: 150mg IV over 10 minutes.
What is the paediatric dose of Amiodarone?
Trick question, sucks! Safety and efficacy in children not established. Call Clinicall.
What are the onset, peak, and duration of IV Amiodarone?
Onset: 2 minutes
Peak: 20 minutes
Duration: 2 hours
What are potential adverse effects of Amiodarone?
- Hypotension is most common; in patients with a perfuming rhythm who are receiving amiodarone, slow the infusion if hypotension occurs/worsens.
- Nausea/bradycardia
- QT interval prolongation. QTc over 500ms may provoke torsades de pointes.
Likely effect of Amiodarone OD?
- Hypotension, bradycardia, cardiogenic shock.
- DC Amiodarone, provide volume replacement, transcutaneous pacing as needed.
What is a particular risk of Amiodarone administration?
Amiodarone is toxic to tissues if extravasation occurs.
What are potential drug interactions of Amiodarone?
Amiodarone can potentiate effects of beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin. Use with caution in patients taking these medications.
What is the classification of Atropine?
- Anticholinergic
- Antimuscarinic
What are the indications for Atropine administration? (5)
- Restoration of HR in bradydysrhythmias
- Sinus Brady (under 50 bpm) with hemodynamics compromise
- Bradycardia secondary to AV nodal blocks
- Treatment of organophosphate poisoning.
- Control of secretions in palliative care (requires additional endorsement)
What are the contraindications of administration of Atropine (6)?
- Hypersensitivity
- Tachycardia
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Myasthenia Travis
What is the adult dose of Atropine?
CAUTION: Must use correct dose and must administer medication quickly; underdosing or slow administration can cause paradoxical HR slowing.
- For bradycardia: 0.6mg IV push. Maximum dose of 0.04mg/kg (3 mg in 75 kg patient)
- For organophosphate toxicity: 1-2mg IM/IV, repeat every 5-60 minutes until symptoms resolve. MANDATORY CLINICALL CONSULTATION
- Secretion control in palliative care: 0.6 mg IM
What is the paediatric dose of Atropine?
- For bradycardia: 0.02 mg/kg IV push; minimum dose 0.1mg, maximum dose 0.04mg/kg
- For organophosphate toxicity: 0.02-0.05 mg IV; repeat every 10-20 minutes until symptoms resolved. MANDATORY CLINICALL CONSULT
What is the mechanism of action of Atropine?
Competitive antagonist for acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors.
What are the onset, peak, and duration for Atropine?
Onset: < 2 minutes (IM/IV)
Peak: 3 minutes (IM); 2-4 minutes(IV)
Duration: 2-6 hours (IM/IV)
What are the common adverse effects of Atropine?
- Tachycardia
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Blurred Vision
- Dysphagia
What are the two warnings for Atropine?
- Atropine pupillary dilation (assessment of pupils may be unreliable)
- Atropine may lose some potency after 4+ weeks of storage at temperatures above 40 degrees C
What is the classification of Calcium Chloride?
Electrolyte
What are the indications for administration of Calcium Chloride?
- Cardiac Arrest due to suspected HyperK (Renal failure, DKA)
- Suspected HyperK with cardiovascular toxicity (wide QRS complexes, peaked T waves, or hemodynamic instability)
- Calcium Channel Blocker OD with symptomatic bradycardia or hemodynamic instability.