Acls Drug Use

Front 1

Adenosine

Back 1

-First drug for stable narrow-complex PSVT. Effective in terminating those due to reentry involving AV node or sinus node.
-May consider for unstable narrow-complex
-Does not convert A-Fib, A-Flutter, or V-Tach

Front 2

Amiodarone

Back 2

-Recurrent V-Fib
-Recurrent hemodynically unstable V-Tach
-Cardiac arrest unresponsive to CPR, shock, or vasopressor

Front 3

ASA

Back 3

Any pt suggestive of ischemic chest pain

Front 4

Atropine Sulfate

Back 4

-First drug for symptomatic sinus bradycardia
-May be beneficial in the AV block or ventricular asystole not effective in type 2 or 3rd degree heart block.
-Second drug (after epi or vaso) for asystole for bradycardic PEA
-Organophosphate poisoning

Front 5

Dopamine

Back 5

-Second drug of choice (after atropine) for symptomatic bradycardia
-Hypotension with s/s of shock

Front 6

Epinephrine

Back 6

-Cardiac arrest: V-Fib, pulseless VT, asystole, PEA
-Symptomatic bradycardia: After atropine as an alternative to dopamine infusion.
-Symptomatic hypotension: When pacing and atropine fail, when hypotension accompanies hypotension.
-Anaphylaxis: Combine with large fluid volumes, antihistamines, corticosteroids

Front 7

Furosemide

Back 7

-Adjunct therapy of acute pulmonary edema in pts with a systolic BP >90 to 100 mm Hg without s/s of shock.
-Hypertensive emergencies
-Increased intracranial pressure

Front 8

Lidocaine

Back 8

-Alternative to amiodarone in cardiac arrest from VT/VF
-Stable monomorphic VT with preserved ventricular function
-Stable polymorphic VT with normal baseline QT interval and preserved LV function where ischemic is tx and electrolyte imbalance is corrected.
-Torsades suspected

Front 9

Morphine Sulfate

Back 9

-Cx pain unresponsive to nitrates.
-Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema if BP is adequate.

Front 10

Nitroglycerin

Back 10

-Initial drug besides O2 for ischemic cx pain
-CHF

Front 11

Sodium Bicarbonate

Back 11

-Prolonged resuscitation
-Hyperkalemia
-Known acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis, tricyclic antidepressants or ASA OD, cocaine, or diphenhydramine.

Front 12

Vasopressin

Back 12

-Given in cardiac arrest as an alternative epi
-May be useful in shock not caused by hypovolemic where BP is an issue.