Thu18November0755PM 5

In which of the following would atropine be ineffective?

(Please select 1 option)

Myocardial infarction

Immunosuppression

Cardiac transplant Correct

Atrial fibrillation

Asthma

Explanation

After a heart transplant the heart is completely denervated. Therefore, the lack of a vagal input would prevent any anticholergic effects of atropine.

Alternative agents such as beta-2-agonists, including ephedrine, should be used for the purposes of chronotropy or inotropy.

Reference:

Kociolek LK, Bierig SM, Herrmann SC, Labovitz AJ. Efficacy of atropine as a chronotropic agent in heart transplant patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography. Echocardiography. 2006;23:383-7.

Answer Statistics

1

1%

2

2%

3

89%

4

8%

5

3%

Times answered: 282