Adenosine

 Treats supraventricular tachycardia (narrow complex SVT)

 Slows down conduction through AV node
o Thus, tachycardic atrial contractions are slowed down before reaching ventricles 
establishes a normal ventricular rhythm
 Dose: 6 mg IV + saline, then another 12 mg if needed

Amiodarone

 Treats ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation after shock/CPR have failed
 Stretches the action potential (increased PR and QT) and increased refractory period
o Decreases sinus rate
 Dose:
o VT: 150 mg IV
o VF: 300 mg IV push

Atropine

 Treats bradycardia
 Parasympathetic blocker  increased heart rate
 Dose: 0.5 mg IV every 3-5 min as needed

Diltiazem

 Used during atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to normalize ventricular contraction
 Calcium channel blocker  relaxes cardiac smooth muscle + dilates cardiac/peripheral vessels
 Dose: 15-20 mg IV over 2 min (can repeat after 15 min)

Dopamine

 Treats bradycardia and hypotension

 Vasoconstrictor  increased cardiac output
 Dose: 20 mcg/kg/min IV

Epinephrine

 Treats cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole, PEA
 Alpha-adrenergic effects  vasoconstriction  increased coronary and cerebral bloodflow
 Dose:
o Cardiac arrest: 1mg IV every 3-5 min + saline flush
o Profound bradycardia: 1-10 mcg/min

Magnesium

 Treats cardiac arrest and torsades de pointes

 Slows SA node  prolonged conduction through myocardium
 Dose:
 o Cardiac arrest due to torsades: 1-2g diluted in 10 mL saline or D5W IV
o Torsades with acute MI: load with 1-2g in 50-100 ml saline or D5W, then 0.5mg/hr after

Sodium bicarbonate

 Alkalinizing agent (buffers acidosis) after prolonged ventilation

 Dose: 1 mEq/kg IV bolus

Vasopressin

 Treats ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole, and PEA

 Peripheral vasoconstrictor  increases cardiac/cerebral bloodflow
 Dose: 1 dose of 40 units

Verapamil

 Used during atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter to normalize ventricular contraction
 Calcium channel blocker  relaxes cardiac smooth muscle + dilates cardiac/peripheral vessels
o Slows conduction through AV node
 Dose: 5 mg IV over 2 min (repeat every 15 min as needed)