This super popular drug is used for "just about" everything that is FAST OR WIERD: Stable AND unstable narrow complex tachycardias... (SVTs) Known AND unknown wide complex tachycardias... (V Tach) AND irregular tachycardias (A Fib, V Fib)
Used
for almost all tachycardias! Especially persistant VF/VT.
It is listed in the line up of antiarrhythmic choices for both stable and
unstable SVT, as well as wide complex tachycardias of unknown type.
Also an option for stable monomorphic VT, and stable polymorphic VT if
the QT interval is not prolonged.
Though primarily having class III activity, the drug also has a strong
class I effect (inhibition of inactivated Na+ channel), as well as a
significant class II effect (noncompetiively blocks a-
& b-receptors)
and class IV effect (AV-node-Ca++ inhibition).
Its class III activity occurs in all cardiac tissue, blocking K+
channels, which prolong the duration of the action potential, and thereby
lengthening the effective refractory period. Side
Effects: Vasodilation, ¯
BP, ¯
HR, AV blocks,
QT interval, VF/VT, hepatotoxicity.
Has a SUPER-DUPER long ½ life,
reversal of SE's may take months!!! Contraindicated:
with other drugs that
QT interval, known AV block, bradycardia, and cardiogenic shock.
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Copyright 2009, Samos Alixopulos, ICU RN |