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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

Cardiovascular pharmacology. III: Atropine, calcium, calcium blockers, and beta-blockers

J A Paraskos

    Circulation
    |December 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Routine calcium use in cardiac arrest is questioned due to lack of survival benefit and potential harm. Atropine, oxygen, and other drugs remain standard in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) involves various medications.
    • Oxygen, morphine, vasodilators, and diuretics are standard ACLS treatments.
    • Controversy exists regarding the efficacy and safety of certain ACLS drugs.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the current evidence and controversies surrounding ACLS medications.
    • To evaluate the role of atropine, calcium, and calcium-channel blockers in cardiac arrest.
    • To assess the impact of these drugs on patient survival and neurological outcomes.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature and clinical studies on ACLS drug use.
    • Analysis of data from the American Heart Association (AHA) conferences.
    • Examination of reports on atropine dosage and calcium administration in cardiac arrest.

    Main Results:

    • High-dose atropine may have limited value in asystolic or bradycardiac arrest.
    • Routine calcium administration for cardiac arrest has not shown improved survival and may be harmful.
    • Calcium is indicated for hypocalcemia or calcium-channel blocker overdose.
    • Calcium-channel blockers may prevent postanoxic injury and vasospasm.

    Conclusions:

    • The use of calcium in cardiac arrest requires re-evaluation.
    • Atropine's role in specific arrest types needs further investigation.
    • Calcium-channel blockers show promise in neuroprotection and managing specific arrhythmias.

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