New trends in the management of cardiac arrest.
Prompt defibrillation with lower energy levels (200 joules) initially is now recommended. Epinephrine is effective when instilled intratracheally and remains the treatment of choice for restoring cardiac rhythm. Enthusiasm for isoproterenol and calcium chloride has waned. Sodium bicarbonate and atropine are now used more cautiously. Bretylium and verapamil have improved the treatment of refractory ventricular fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, respectively.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012151:Resuscitation; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000628:therapy; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents