title: Pharmacotherapy Considerations for the Management of Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
abstract: Health care providers should be aware of the pharmacotherapy considerations in the American Heart Association's guidelines for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Current evidence does not suggest a reduction in mortality with ACLS medications; however, these medications can improve return of spontaneous circulation. Proper agent selection and dosing are imperative to maximize benefit and minimize harm. The latest guideline update included major changes to the ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia and pulseless electrical activity/asystole algorithms, which providers should adopt. It is critical that providers be prepared for post-code management. Health care professionals should remain abreast of changing evidence and guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky UK Healthcare, Room H-110, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. Electronic address: cjbeav2@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Beavers
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky UK Healthcare, Room H-110, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
authors.forename: Komal A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pandya
mesh_terms: D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support / Q000592:standards*; D000572:American Heart Association; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019468:Disease Management; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014481:United States; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
keywords: Advanced cardiac life support; Cardiac arrest; Epinephrine; Vasopressin; Ventricular fibrillation; Ventricular tachycardia