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Atropine in cardiac resuscitation

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Action of atropine is to block the vagus nerve and thus enhance sinus node automaticity and atrioventricular conduction.

  • atropine causes blockade of parasympathetic activity at both the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node may increase sinus automaticity and facilitate AV node conduction
  • adult dose of atropine for asystole, or pulseless electrical activity with a rate < 60 min per minute, is 3 mg IV

Atropine may increase myocardial oxygen demand and unmask sympathetic overactivity.

Reference:

  1. Resuscitation Council (UK). Adult Advanced Life Support. Resuscitation Guidelines 2005.

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