Category: ACLS Pharmacology

The Effects of Procainamide: Procainamide is effective in slowing the conduction in the atria, ventricles, and bundle of His Purkinje system.  It does this by: Prolonging the PR intervals and QT intervals Slowing the refractory periods of the atria and ventricles Slowing the refractory period of the atrioventricular node Procainamide Indications for Use: Procainamide has […]

The Effects of Oxygen: Oxygen, an atmospheric gas, increases saturation of hemoglobin oxygen levels. When used at therapeutic concentrations, it can help oxygenate certain tissues as long at the patient is not in shock or dealing with another complication that could affect the distribution or reception of oxygen. Oxygen Indications  for Use: The primary indications […]

The Effects of Nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin, a nitrate, causes smooth muscle relaxation. This produces systemic venous pooling of blood through the action of vasodilation. This, in turn, decreases venous blood flow return to the heart and reduces preload as well as venous afterload. This should be watched closely so as to not cause detrimental hypotension. Nitroglycerin […]

The Effects of Morphine Sulfate: Morphine sulfate is a µ-opioid receptor agonist that relieves pain. It produces analgesia by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Indications for Use of Morphine: Morphine is indicated for chest pain which is refractory to the use of nitroglycerin. Morphine Precautions & Contraindications: Opioids are known to […]

The Effects of Magnesium Sulfate: Magnesium Sulfate: Sometimes nicknamed Mag Sulfate Affects the SA node by slowing down its impulse rate Reduces the automaticity in partially depolarized cells Causes vasodilation When given rapidly, may create hypotension Indications for Use of Magnesium Sulfate: Magnesium sulfate is effective as an anticonvulsant and an antiarrhythmic. It is used […]

The Effects of Lidocaine: Lidocaine causes negative inotropic effects and antiarrhythmic actions in the heart that weaken the force of muscular contractions. Lidocaine can calm erratic and uncoordinated electro-myocardial activity. Indications for Use of Lidocaine: Due to lidocaine’s antiarrhythmic properties, its primary use is for: Cardiac arrest from Ventricular Fibrillation Pulseless ventricular tachycardia Lidocaine is […]

The Effects of Fibrinolytic Drugs: Fibrinolytic drugs: also called thrombolytic drugs any medication that is capable of stimulating the dissolution of a blood clot work by activating the fibrinolytic pathway Fibrinolytic drugs are different from anticoagulant drugs (commonly known as coumarin derivatives and heparin). Anticoagulant drugs prevent the formation of blood clots by suppressing the […]

The Effects of Epinephrine: Epinephrine (Epi): commonly known as adrenaline a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs can reverse severely low blood pressure secreted mainly by the medulla of the adrenal glands functions primarily to increase cardiac output and to raise blood glucose levels normally released during acute stress its […]

The Effects of Dopamine: Dopamine: a naturally occurring catecholamine has direct alpha and beta adrenergic effects depending on the dose A medium dose is 5-10 mcg/kg/min. When this is given, dopamine acts directly on beta1 receptors, causing increased myocardial contractility and increased heart rate. Dopamine doses greater than 10 mcg/kg/min stimulate alpha receptors. This results […]

The Effects of Atropine Sulfate: Atropine: Anticholinergic or anti-parasympathetic Sometimes referred to as a parasympatholytic drug A parasympatholytic agent is a substance or activity that reduces the parasympathetic nervous system’s activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is often conversationally described as the “Rest and Digest” portion of the autonomic nervous system.  Atropine blocks this action. Atropine […]