A patient has recurrent episodes of torsades de pointes, a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with a prolonged QT interval. Which medicine is commonly given urgently?
Correct answer: A. Magnesium sulfate
- A. Magnesium sulfate
- B. Calcium chloride
- C. Atropine sulfate
- D. Procainamide
Explanation
Intravenous magnesium sulfate is the standard emergency treatment for torsades de pointes, even when the serum magnesium level is not yet known. Atropine may increase the heart rate in selected bradycardias, but it does not directly treat torsades.
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About Emergency Drugs and Antidotes
Emergency pharmacology covers drugs used in cardiac arrest, shock, severe allergy, acute asthma, seizures, poisoning and hypoglycaemia, including adrenaline, atropine, naloxone, flumazenil and selected antidotes. The focus is on indications, routes, rapid adverse effects, dose safety and matching a toxic substance with its specific reversal agent.
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