eLFH - Antiarrhythmic agents Flashcards
Definition of bradycardia
HR < 60
Treated only if signs of compromise
Interim treatment options for Bradycardia (whilst awaiting trans-venous pacemaker insertion
Glycopyrrolate
Atropine
Isoprenaline
Adrenaline
Aminophylline
Dopamine
Glucagon
Transcutaneous pacing
Indication for Atropine use
Bradycardia due to increased vagal tone or to counter muscarinic effects of anticholinergics
Chemical composition of Atropine
Racemic mixture of D- and L-hyoscyamine
Only L- is active
Dose of Atropine and route of administration
20 micrograms / kg IV or IM
200 - 600 micrograms PO
3 mg needed for complete vagal blockade in adults (hence repeat boluses of 0.5 mg up to 3 mg max)
Pharmacokinetics of Atropine
Low bioavailability (10 to 20%)
Crosses placenta and blood brain barrier
Elimination half life 2.5 hours
Atropine mechanism of action
Competitive antagonist of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors
Minimal nicotinic receptor action
CVS effects of atropine
Bezold-Jarisch reflex - low dose can initially produce bradycardia
Slows AV node conduction time
Dilation of cutaneous blood vessels at high doses
Respiratory effects of atropine
Bronchodilation - increases physiological dead space
Increased RR
CNS effects of atropine
Can cause central anticholinergic syndrome
GI and GU effects of atropine
Reduces gut motility
Reduces urinary tract tone
Other effects of atropine
Mydriasis
Increased intraocular pressure
Reduced ADH secretion
Has local anaesthetic properties
Chemical structure of Glycopyrrolate
Charge quaternary amine
Glycopyrrolate dose and route of administration
200 - 400 micrograms IV or IM for adults
4 - 10 microgram/kg for paediatrics
Glycopyrrolate mechanism of action
Competitive antagonist at peripheral muscarinic receptors
Glycopyrrolate pharmacokinetics
Poor bioavailability (5%)
Can cross placenta but NOT blood brain barrier
80% excreted unchanged
Elimination half life 0.6 to 1.1 hours
CVS effects of glycopyrrolate
Vagolytic effects last 2 to 3 hours
Tachycardia at high doses
Respiratory effects of glycopyrrolate
Bronchodilation - increases physiological dead space
Other effects of glycopyrrolate
5x more potent than atropine at drying secretion
Isoprenaline features
Mixed Beta 1 and Beta 2 agonist
SVR can drop due to B2 agonism
Usually IV, but can be inhaled or PO
Adrenaline features
Low dose has chronotropic beta agonist effects
Increasing dose increases the alpha action
Diastolic BP can fall due to beta 2 vasodilation