ACLS drugs stand for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support drugs. ACLs are the set of clinical algorithms used in urgent or emergency conditions such as cardiac arrest, stroke, etc. Show ACLs drugs are also called emergency drugs because they are used in emergency conditions. Classification of ACLS DrugsThe classification of ACLs Drugs are given below:
Common ACLS drugs and usesThe commonly used ACLs drugs and their uses are described below. ACLS drugs and doses are also mentioned below. AdenosineAdenosine is an Antiarrhythmic drug. It is used to treat Supraventricular Tachycardia or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Adenosine is also used for the treatment of wide QRS tachycardia. Tachycardia with a QRS duration >120 ms. Cardiac conduction is the result of adenosine intake through an intravenous route in the form of rapid bolus and this may also affect the re-entry pathways. Red blood cells (RBCs) and endothelial cells absorb the adenosine instantly after intake and start the process of metabolism in the body for natural uses. Adenosine is significant when it reaches the heart so it should be given in rapid IV bolus. The half-life of Adenosine is 5 seconds. Adenosine has some side effects. Side effects of adenosine administration in ACLs are:
Contraindications
AtropineAtropine is an anticholinergic drug used in the treatment of Symptomatic Bradycardia. It is a first-line drug used in bradycardia, helps in increasing heart rate. Symptomatic Bradycardia is a medical condition in which your heartbeat becomes slower than normal. Result in dizziness, faintness, and feeling of difficulty in breathing, etc. Atropine is used to monitor blood pressure, oxygen, and electrocardiogram (ECG) ACLs drug and dose of Atropine
Atropine is also used to treat toxins, poisons, and overdoses.
Contraindications
Hypothermia is a medical condition that occurs when your body drops its temperature faster than normal. DopamineDopamine is a naturally present catecholamine vasopressor used in the treatment of low Bp, heart rate, especially in neonates. It is the second-line drug in treating bradycardia when atropine is not effective.
ACLs drug dose of dopamine:
Contraindication:
AmiodaroneACLs drug amiodarone is an Antiarrhythmic drug used for the medication of tachyarrhythmias(Abnormal rhythms of heart, the heart beats more time than normal condition). But Amiodarone has also many side effects and toxicity, so it should not exceed the fixed limit. ACLs drug amiodarone is also used to treat supraventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias.
Amiodarone is the first choice of drug for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias but the mechanism of amiodarone is unclear or why it has Antiarrhythmic properties. Amiodarone is used to monitor blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG). Route of administration of amiodarone is IV or IO. In the Intraosseous (IO) route, the drug is directly introduced into the bone marrow. ACLs drug Amiodarone doseLet’s see about ACLs drug and dose of Amiodarone. Do not give the dose of Amiodarone more than 2.2 grams within 24 hours. Otherwise, it may prove harmful or toxic.
Contraindication
EpinephrineEpinephrine is a Catecholamine vasopressor, listed in ACLs algorithm normally released in stress conditions used in the treatment of:
This ACLs emergency drug is used to treat anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that sometimes may be fatal or life-threatening. Epinephrine is an effective drug or recommendation in symptomatic bradycardia after atropine. When atropine fails to show the result or after pacing, it is the best choice of drug. Epinephrine is included inAsystole Algorithm. Administration dose of ACLs drug Epinephrine:
Contraindications
LidocaineLidocaine is a type of ACLs emergency drug which is Antiarrhythmic. Lidocaine is only recommended when amiodarone is not present. Lidocaine is used to treat wide complex tachycardia. It is effective to treat the shock-refractory VF/pVT with amiodarone or it may also use as an alternative to amiodarone for the treatment of VF/Pulseless VT. Lidocaine depresses automaticity and excitability. The route of administration of lidocaine is Intravenous for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. (VT/VF). Lidocaine is used to monitor blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG). Lidocaine dose or ACLs drug dose:
Toxicity of LidocaineSymptoms of lidocaine toxicity are muscle twitching, seizures, tingling, etc.
Do carefully use it in the case of renal failure. Contraindications:
Magnesium sulfateMagnesium sulfate is an electrolyte or bronchodilator, decreases the automaticity and causes vasodilation. Magnesium sulfate is used in the treatment of:
But it can cause hypotension due to rapid administration. ACLs drug dose or Magnesium sulfate dose of administration
Contraindications:
An increased level of magnesium serum in blood results in hypermagnesemia. VasopressinVasopressin is an antidiuretic hormone analogue, now removed from ACLs emergency drugs. Vasopressin is also called an antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In researches, it was proved that there is no benefit of administrating both vasopressin and epinephrine at the same time. Due to this reason, it is removed from the list of ACLS alogorithm. Vasopressin is excluded from the ACLs algorithm just to enhance its simplicity and for easiness. It is removed from ACLs algorithm in 2015 guidelines.
Dose of Vasopressin
ACLs endotracheal drug
OxygenOxygen is an atmospheric or elemental gas used to treat hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs due to a low level of oxygen in the body.
ACLs drug dose of Oxygen
Contraindications:There are few contraindications of oxygen such as: Contraindicated in hypoxic patients. Sotalol
Dose of Administration of SotalolSotalol administrated 100 mg through IV route over 5 min. ContraindicationIts use is contraindicated in prolonged QT. ACLs drugs asystoleThere are two drugs included in this ACLs algorithm or Asystole Algorithm. ACLS and BLS
TakeawayACLs are the set of clinical algorithms used in urgent or emergency conditions such as cardiac arrest, stroke, etc.ACLs drugs are also called emergency drugs because they are used in emergency conditions. The ACLs drugs and doses are given above. Similarly, their uses and contradictions are also mentioned. I hope this article has helped you regarding ACLs drugs. FAQs
The ACLs drugs are also called emergency drugs. ACLs drugs are clinical algorithms used in urgent or emergency conditions such as cardiac arrest, stroke, etc.
Drugs like Epinephrine, lidocaine, atropine, amiodarone, adenosine, and dopamine are used in ACLs.
Vasopressin drugs have been removed from ACLs and are no longer used in ACLs.
There are five ACLs algorithms and they are:
Oxygen, Salbutamol, Injectable antihistamine, Nitroglycerine, Aspirin, and oral carbohydrate. |