What are the treatments for bradyarrhythmias?

Study for the PaEasy Emergency Medicine Test. Prepare with detailed questions and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

What are the treatments for bradyarrhythmias?

Explanation:
Bradyarrhythmias reduce cardiac output by slowing the heart rate, so the goal is to raise the rate and maintain perfusion. The best acute approach combines atropine to increase nodal conduction, pacing (temporary transcutaneous or transvenous) when atropine is ineffective or a high-grade block is present, and vasoactive support with epinephrine or dopamine to boost rate and blood pressure as a bridge to definitive therapy. Defibrillation is reserved for pulseless or shockable tachyarrhythmias, so it isn’t appropriate here. Amiodarone is used for tachyarrhythmias, not bradyarrhythmias, and calcium channel blockers can worsen bradycardia by slowing conduction.

Bradyarrhythmias reduce cardiac output by slowing the heart rate, so the goal is to raise the rate and maintain perfusion. The best acute approach combines atropine to increase nodal conduction, pacing (temporary transcutaneous or transvenous) when atropine is ineffective or a high-grade block is present, and vasoactive support with epinephrine or dopamine to boost rate and blood pressure as a bridge to definitive therapy. Defibrillation is reserved for pulseless or shockable tachyarrhythmias, so it isn’t appropriate here. Amiodarone is used for tachyarrhythmias, not bradyarrhythmias, and calcium channel blockers can worsen bradycardia by slowing conduction.

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