This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Sanoski, C. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

ACLS Guidelines 2000: Focus on What’s "New" in the Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular Fibrillation Algorithm

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Administration, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 600 S 43rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, c.sanosk{at}usip.edu

Despite the use of conventional treatment modalities, the probability of survival for patients experiencing cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) remains quite poor. Therefore, the management of cardiac arrest remains a challenge. The most recent Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) guidelines have adopted an evidence-based approach toward the treatment of pulseless VT/VF. A number of evidence-based changes have been made in the treatment algorithms for these life-threatening arrhythmias, including the new recommendations for using vasopressin and intravenous amiodarone. This article will provide an overview of the evidence-based approach that was used in the development of the 2000 ACLS guidelines and will summarize the key trials that were used to support the inclusion of vasopressin and intravenous amiodarone in the pulseless VT/VF treatment algorithm. Additionally, dosing and administration issues for these agents will be discussed.

Key Words: Pulseless ventricular tachycardia • ventricular fibrillation • vasopressin • amiodarone • advanced cardiovascular life support

Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 15, No. 4, 334-343 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/089719002129041322


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?