Why is atropine included in many dental and medical emergency kits?

on 19.1.09 with 0 comments



Injected atropine may be used to induce and increase in heart rate in pts who show life-threatening bradycardia. This includes tx of bradycardia assoc. with myocardial infarction or caused by a beta-blocker. The increase in heart rate IS NOT due to direct stimulation of the cardiac (SA node) pacemaker. The increase is due to blockade of the normal “braking” action of the parasympathetic nervous system on heart rate. The magnitude of effect is of the order of 5-10 beats per minute at a dose of 0.7 mg in a 70 kg adult.

Category: Pharmacology Notes

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