EMERGENCY DRUGS Flashcards
Drugs used in cardiac arrest?
Adrenaline IV
Amiodarone IV
Prescription of adrenaline in cardiac arrest?
In cardiac arrest (pre-filled syringe 1:10,000, 1mg in 10mL)
• If shockable, adrenaline 1mg IV given after 3rd shock and repeated every 3-5 minutes
• If not shockable, adrenaline 1mg IV ASAP and repeated every 3-5 minutes
Mechanism of adrenaline in cardiac arrest?
Potent agonist of A1, A2, B1, B2 adrenoreceptors
Fight or flight sympathetic actions:
• Alpha-1 – Vasoconstriction
• Beta-1 - Tachycardia, inotropy, myocardial excitability
• Beta- 2 - Vasodilation of vessels in heart and muscles
• Bronchodilation and suppression of inflammatory mediators from mast cells
Side Effects of adrenaline in cardiac arrest?
Hypertension
Anxiety, tremor, headache, palpitations
Angina, MI and arrhythmias
Contraindications of adrenaline in cardiac arrest?
LA with adrenaline to areas supplied by end-artery (fingers, toes, penis) - tissue necrosis due to vasoconstriction
Dose of amiodarone in cardiac arrest?
In cardiac arrest, given after 3rd shock
• 300mg IV, followed by 20ml of 0.9% NaCl flush
Consider a further 150mg IV after 5 shocks
Mechanism of amiodarone in cardiac arrest?
Block of Na, Ca and K channels
Antagonist of α- and β-adrenergic receptors
Reduce spontaneous depolarisation, slow conduction velocity, and increase resistance to depolarisation, including in the AV node
Side Effects of amiodarone in cardiac arrest?
Hypotension during IV infusion
Chronic – pneumonitis, bradycardia, AV block, photosensitivity, grey discolouration and thyroid abnormalities
Long half-life and takes months to be eliminated
Dose of oxygen in acute pulmonary oedema?
15L/min via non-rebreathe mask if severe
If needed, CPAP, BiPAP and intubation
Mechanism of oxygen in acute pulmonary oedema?
Increase PO2 in alveolar gas, driving more rapid diffusion into blood
Side Effects of oxygen in acute pulmonary oedema?
Discomfort of face mask
Dry mouth
Dose of furosemide in acute pulmonary oedema?
IV 40-80mg furosemide slowly initially
Subsequent boluses, IV infusion or maintenance may be needed
Mechanism of furosemide in acute pulmonary oedema?
Act on ascending limb of loop of Henley
• Inhibit the Na+/K+/2Cl−co-transporter
• Responsible for ions transport from lumen into epithelial cells, water then follows
• Inhibition has diuretic effect
Dilatation of capacitance veins
• Reduce preload and improve contractile function of heart muscle
Side Effects of furosemide in acute pulmonary oedema?
Dehydration and hypotension
Low electrolyte state – Urinary excretion of Na, Cl and K and increase excretion of Mg, Ca and H ions
Hearing loss and tinnitus
Dose of nitrates in acute pulmonary oedema?
Glyceryl trinitrate (2-5mg buccal) if BP>90 systolic
Glyceryl trinitrate IV 50 mg in 50 ml 0.9% sodium chloride at 2 ml/hour, titrating up to 20 ml/hr, maintaining BP > 90 systolic
Mechanism of nitrates in acute pulmonary oedema?
Converted to NO which increases cGMP synthesis and reduced intracellular Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle cells causing relaxation
Venous and arterial vasodilatation
Relaxation of venous capacitance veins
• Reduce preload and LV filling
• Reduce cardiac work and myocardial oxygen demand
Side effects of nitrates in acute pulmonary oedema?
Flushing, headaches, light-headedness and hypotension
Tolerance with sustained use – nitrate free period overnight to minimise
Contraindications of nitrates in acute pulmonary oedema?
Avoid in phosphodiesterase inhibitors – hypotension
Dose of morphine in acute pulmonary oedema?
Diamorphine 2.5-5mg, at 1mg/minute IV slowly
Morphine 5-10mg (lower in elderly), at 2mg/minute
Mechanism of morphine in acute pulmonary oedema?
Relieves breathlessness alongside oxygen, furosemide and nitrates
• Blunt medullary response to hypoxia and hypercapnia to reduce respiratory drive and breathlessness
Activation of opioid u receptors in CNS to reduce neuronal excitability and pain transmission
Reduce sympathetic nervous system
• Reduce cardiac work and oxygen demand
Side effects of morphine in acute pulmonary oedema?
Respiratory depression Euphoria and detachment Nausea and vomiting Pupillary constriction Constipation • Increased smooth muscle tone and reduced motility Itching, urticaria and sweating
Contraindications of morphine in acute pulmonary oedema?
Dose reduction – hepatic failure, renal impairment and elderly
Avoid in biliary colic – spasm of sphincter of Oddi
Does of oxygen in acute severe asthma?
15L/min via non-rebreathe mask
Maintain oxygen saturations 92-96%
Mechanism of oxygen in acute severe asthma?
15L/min via non-rebreathe mask if severe
If needed, CPAP, BiPAP and intubation
Side effects of oxygen in acute severe asthma?
Discomfort of face mask
Dry mouth
Dose of nebulised salbutamol in acute severe asthma?
5mg every 15-20 minutes if not helping, or back-to-back
Can combine with ipratropium bromide 500mcg
Mechanism of nebulised salbutamol in acute severe asthma?
Stimulation of GPCR leads to smooth muscle relaxation
• Improves airflow in airways
Stimulate Na/K/ATPase pumps on cell surface membranes
• Shift of K into cells
• Useful in hyperkalaemia
Side effects of nebulised salbutamol in acute severe asthma?
Tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety, tremor
Increase glucose levels
Dose of ipratropium in acute severe asthma?
500mcg nebulised every 4-6 hours if needed