Question

A 45-year-old gentleman was admitted in the ward for an acute febrile illness. He is on treatment for diabetes mellitus and hypertension for the last 5 years. The ward sister witnesses the patient not responding and is in cardiac arrest, and CPR is initiated. You are called to help.
Write briefly about the drugs used during CPR.

Hint:

Drugs like epinephrine are used to boost circulation, while amiodarone and lidocaine are used to manage arrhythmias during CPR.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the drugs used in CPR.
Medications during CPR are used to improve the heart's ability to respond to resuscitation efforts. These drugs help to stabilize the rhythm, enhance heart contraction, and manage underlying causes.

Step 2: Explanation of the drugs.
- Epinephrine: This is the primary drug used to improve circulation during CPR by constricting blood vessels and increasing blood flow to vital organs.
- Amiodarone and Lidocaine: These are antiarrhythmic drugs that help stabilize the heart rhythm, especially for cases of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia.
- Atropine: This drug is used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate) during CPR.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The use of these drugs during CPR helps in improving survival chances by stabilizing the heart and managing cardiac arrhythmias.