Question
Which one of the following drugs is used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pulseless ventricular fibrillation?
| A. |
Atropine
|
| B. |
Adenosine
|
| C. |
Lidocaine
|
| D. |
Amiodarone
|
Show Answer
|
Correct Answer » D
Explanation
|
|
- Pulseless ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT) are shockable cardiac arrest rhythms.
- The initial management includes:
- Immediate high-quality CPR.
- Early defibrillation.
- Epinephrine after the second shock.
- Amiodarone for shock-refractory VF/pVT after repeated defibrillation attempts.
- According to current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)guidelines:
- First dose: Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO bolus.
- Second dose (if required): 150 mg IV/IO.
Why Other Options are Incorrect
A. Atropine
- Used for symptomatic bradycardia.
- No longer recommended for asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA) during cardiac arrest.
- Has no role in pulseless VF.
B. Adenosine
- Drug of choice for stable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
- Not indicated in ventricular fibrillation.
C. Lidocaine
- May be used as an alternative if amiodarone is unavailable or contraindicated.
- However, amiodarone is the preferred antiarrhythmic in shock-refractory VF/pVT.
