DEFINITION: Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate < 60 bpm.

This is a functional definition--based on function--because usually a patient isn't symptomatic until < 50 bpm.

Bradycardia

Once bradycardia is noted, you should monitor:

1. Airway control: maintain a patent airway; assist breathing as necessary.

2. O2 sat: give oxygen if hypoxemic: hypoxemia is a common cause of bradycardia.

3. Blood pressure, and

4. Cardiac rhythm, assessed via cardiac monitor.

5. Establish IV/IO access.

6. 12-lead ECG if available, but not if it delays therapy.

 

Stable or Unstable?

UNSTABLE:

Unstable, in our usage, means the patient is in danger of suffering harm if the present condition continues.

Unstable symptoms could be, among others,

• hypotension,
• chest pain,
• shortness of breath,
• altered mental status or
• weakness.

PROTOCOL: If the bradycardic patient is UNSTABLE, atropine is the initial treatment of choice.

►Atropine is delivered via 1 mg IV/IO push and may be repeated every 3-5 minutes up to a total max dose of 3 mg (3 doses, total).

If atropine does not relieve the symptoms of unstable bradycardia, transcutaneous pacing is the next intervention followed by the use of Dopamine or Epinephrine as second-line drugs (either, not both). 

TRANSCUTANEOUS PACING: Symptomatic unstable bradycardia refractory to all medications should warrant consideration of transcutaneous pacing.

For most adults, you should set the pacer rate at 60-70 bpm and start increasing energy levels. For pediatric patients, a faster heart rate (>80) may be needed to reverse a compromised cardiovascular condition. The pacer will create a sharp vertical spike on the EKG tracing.

When pacing a patient, "electrical capture" is the goal: it is defined as the presence of a QRS complex following each signal spike from the pacer on the EKG. "mechanical capture" is another term that is commonly used, it is defined as the presence of a palpable pulse following each QRS complex on EKG. 

If you choose to use Epinephrine, the recommended dosage is an infusion at 2-10 mcg/minute titrated to a heart rate of 60bpm.

Dopamine is less commonly used but may be initiated at 5-20mcg/kg/min and also titrated slowly to patient response. Note that dopamine is dosed based on weight!

If you determine that these "unstable symptoms" are secondary to the bradycardia itself, the AHA wants you to intervene and stabilize them.

STABLE :

If the patient is stable, proceed according to the protocol or online medical control and keep watch for signs of deterioration.

• No hypotension,
• No altered mental status,
• No signs of shock,
• No ischemic chest pain,
• No acute heart failure. 

PROTOCOL: Continue to monitor for reversible causes (Hs and Ts):

H's

• Hypovolemia - Not enough volume.
• Hypoxia - Not enough oxygen.
• Hydrogen Ion Excess - Acidosis (low pH).
• Hypoglycemia - insufficient blood sugar. Hypokalemia - electrolyte imbalance - not enough potassium.
• Hyperkalemia- electrolyte imbalance - too much potassium.
• Hypothermia - exposure to cold resulting in damage.

T's

• Tension Pneumothorax - Air trapped in the pleural space.
• Cardiac Tamponade - Fluid in the sac around the heart, restricting contraction.
• Toxins - Your patient has been exposed to a poison or toxic substance.
• Thrombosis - A blood clot has clogged an artery, cutting off distal circulation..
• Trauma.