Potassium Channel Blockers || Amiodarone

Class III antiarrhythmic 🫀medications are also known as potassium channel blockers🍌🚫.

Typically, the only potassium channel blocker we see in the 911 prehospital setting is amiodarone. Although amiodarone is classified as a potassium channel blocker, it is noted to also block calcium channels, sodium channels and even beta receptors. This causes a longer action potential duration, but also decreases automaticity ⚡️ at the SA node and slows conduction speed 💨 at the AV node.

ACLS recommends amiodarone for ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The first dose in these situations is 300 mg 2nd) 150 mg if it persists (in between CPR, oxygen, defibrillation and epinephrine 🙂).

It can also be used in the case of ventricular tachycardia (not Torsades de pointes) with a pulse as well, however that dose is 150 mg in a 250 mL bag of NS or D5W.

Lidocaine may be used in the place of amiodarone for the situations listed above. In my experience, I tend to see the OG paramedics reach for lidocaine more than amiodarone. Either one is acceptable.

Here is a list of medications that also fall under Class III antiarrythmics (K channel blockers):

*Dronedarone

*Sotalol (also a non-selective beta blocker)

*Ibutilide

*Dofetilide

*Bretylium

🚨 Disclaimer: This is not meant to be used as or in the place of professional medical advice. Remember to abide by your local protocol & stay within your scope of practice.  🚨

#amiodarone #potassiumchannelblocker #classIIIantiarrhythmic #lightssirensaction #lightssirensactionems