Class: Antiarrythmic

Mechanism Of Action: Reduces automaticity of various pacemaker sites in the heart. Slows intraventricular conduction to a much greater degree than Lidocaine does. Suppressed ventricular ectopy.

Indications: Persistent cardiac arrest due to V-fib and refractory to Lidoacaine. PVCs refactory to Lidocaine. V-Tach refractory to Lidocaine.

Containdications: 2^nd and 3^rd degree heart blocks. PVCs in conjunction with bradycardia. Myasthenia gravis.

Precautions: Monitor BP constantly. CHF/respiratory depression.

Side Effects: Hypotension. Seizures. Resiratory/cardiac arrest. Heart blocks. Bradycardia.

Dosage:

Bolus: 20-30 mg/min slow IV bolus with max 17mg/kg

 1gm in 50 ml making a 20:1 concentration

 20mg/min=60 gtt/min

 30mg/min=90 gtt/min

Infusion: 1gm in 250 ml making a 4:1 concentration

Discontinue if:

                     Arrhythmia suppressed

                     Hypotension

                     QRS widened by 50%

            Total 17 mg/kg given