Cardiac Arrest Pharmacotherapy

This lesson provides clinical pharmacists with a comprehensive review of the pharmacological management of cardiac arrest. It emphasizes the pharmacist’s role in ACLS protocols, selection of appropriate medications based on rhythm, and special therapeutic considerations. Key aspects include medication safety, ethical use, and optimizing delivery during CPR.

Learning Objectives:

1. Classify cardiac arrest rhythms and identify pharmacological implications of each type.
2. Apply ACLS protocols and recommend appropriate pharmacotherapy based on cardiac arrest rhythm and situation.
3. Recognize special considerations for cardiac arrest management in pediatric, pregnant, and overdose patients.
4. Develop pharmacist-driven strategies to optimize medication efficacy, safety, and ethical use during resuscitation.