ALS drugs save lives by reversing the causes of cardiac arrest. 🫀💊
Adrenaline and amiodarone are the two key drugs recommended within the ALS algorithm, however, several others are useful depending on the clinical situation.
Here’s what you need to know:
1️⃣ Adrenaline (1 ampoule per dose)
👉🏽 A potent adrenergic agonist
👉🏽 Causes vasoconstriction, directing available cardiac output to myocardium and brain.
👉🏽 The recommended dose in cardiac arrest is 1mg EVERY 4 MINUTES.
👉🏽 The timing of the first dose depends on the rhythm:
🔺Shockable rhythm - first dose after 2nd shock
🔺Non-shockable rhythm - first dose immediately after first rhythm check
2️⃣ Amiodarone (300mg once)
👉🏽 Amiodarone 300mg is only recommended in SHOCKABLE rhythms and only after the THIRD SHOCK.
👉🏽 It has weak evidence for out-of-hospital arrest in improving survival to admission
👉🏽 It prolongs cardiac action potential and delays refractory period, which may be responsible for its ability to terminate ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias
👉🏽 A bolus of amiodarone will cause profound hypotension, so should only be given AFTER administration of adrenaline.
Other drugs used in ALS, when indicated:
👉🏽 No longer included in ALS algorithm due lack of supporting evidence
Theoretically may be an alternative to amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic agent
👉🏽 If guided to give lignocaine by the team leader, a bolus dose of 100mg is appropriate (5ml of 2%).
🔺Calcium channel blocker overdose.
👉🏽 Bolus dose 5-10mL of 10% calcium chloride
👉🏽 Magnesium is recommended for torsades de pointes
👉🏽 Not recommended for VT/VF in the setting of normal QT intervals
👉🏽 Indicated for hypokalaemia
👉🏽 Bolus dose of 10mmol potassium chloride
🔺 Tricyclic antidepressant overdose.
👉🏽 Dosage 20-50ml over 2-3 minutes, then guided by blood gas.
Note! When mixed with adrenaline or calcium, they can precipitate and block the line!
Ref: https://www.anzcor.org/assets/anzcor-guidelines/guideline-11-5-medications-in-adult-cardiac-arrest-246.pdf