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ACLS/BLS Tips: Atropine
Atropine has been an integral drug within ACLS for the management of symptomatic bradycardia. Its anticholinergic effects work by increasing the firing of the sinoatrial node (atria) and conduction through the atrioventricular node (AV) of the heart by blocking the action of the vagus nerve. Therefore, Atropine is ideally suited for sinus bradyarrhythmias. However, its use within more severe heart blocks is unlikely to have an effect.
ACLS/BLS Tips: Epinephrine
Epinephrine has been a long-standing ACLS drug used in the treatment of cardiac arrest to increase arterial blood pressure and coronary perfusion pressure, but recent studies have scrutinized its efficacy with concerns regarding its impact on long-term neurological outcomes.
ACLS/BLS Tips: Amiodarone
Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent a number of types of cardiac dysrhythmias. These dysrhythmias include ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and wide complex tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2024). Despite Amiodarone being labelled as a class III antiarrhythmic (potassium blocking), it also works on the sodium and calcium channels, as well as posessinging alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking properties. This helps prevent conduction of unwanted electrical activity by decreasing excitability of cardiac cells.
Resuscitation Teamwork, CCF and Improving Patient Outcomes
Many people think of ACLS as the drugs that we give, and sure, that’s an important aspect of care. However, the way we approach a resuscitation from the team perspective is arguably just as important. Teamwork can be a dynamic and complex concept within these settings, dependent on a multitude of factors such as the number and makeup of the team members, the types of activities needing to be performed, workload, management of information and urgency of action. Effective teamwork isn’t easy! This is why it plays such a heavy role in resuscitation training and education.
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