Edrophonium and Atropine and Esmolol Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: atropine / edrophonium
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

Reduction in the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Do not use in patients with Clcr >95 mL/minute. (See Boxed Warning.)

Noninferior to well-controlled (mean time in therapeutic INR range: 65%) warfarin therapy in preventing stroke and systemic embolism, and associated with lower rates of bleeding and cardiovascular death.

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Stroke Association (ASA), ACC, AHA, and other experts recommend antithrombotic therapy in all patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation considered to be at increased risk of stroke, unless contraindicated.

Choice of antithrombotic therapy based on patient's risk for stroke and bleeding; in general, oral anticoagulant therapy recommended in patients who have a moderate to high risk for stroke and acceptably low risk of bleeding; consider aspirin or no antithrombotic therapy in patients at low risk. Patients at increased risk of stroke generally include those with prior ischemic stroke or TIA, advanced age (e.g., ≥75 years), history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or CHF. In addition, female sex considered an important risk factor for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly in patients ≥75 years of age.

Although warfarin traditionally has been used for oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation at increased risk of stroke, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants such as edoxaban may be useful alternatives in selected patients at moderate to high risk of stroke who are unable to comply with warfarin monitoring requirements or in whom a consistent therapeutic response to warfarin cannot be achieved; warfarin may still be preferred in patients who are optimally managed and have well-controlled INRs.

Relative efficacy and safety of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (e.g., apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban) remain to be fully elucidated.

When selecting an appropriate anticoagulant, consider factors such as the absolute and relative risks of stroke and bleeding; costs; patient compliance, preference, tolerance, and comorbidities; and other clinical factors such as renal function and degree of INR control (if the patient has been taking warfarin).

Safety and efficacy of edoxaban not established in patients with mechanical heart valves or moderate to severe mitral stenosis; use not recommended in such patients.

Treatment of DVT and/or PE, following initial treatment with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5–10 days.

Noninferior to warfarin in reducing the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism; associated with substantially reduced rates of clinically important bleeding.

• Generic Name: esmolol
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Brevibloc

Rapid, temporary control of ventricular rate in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (e.g., atrial flutter and/or fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, atrial tachycardia).

Vagal maneuvers and/or IV adenosine are considered first-line interventions for acute treatment of SVT when clinically indicated; if such measures are ineffective or not feasible, may consider an IV β-adrenergic blocking agent. Although evidence of efficacy is limited, experts state that overall safety of β-blockers warrants use.

May be used in patients with nonpreexcited atrial flutter and/or fibrillation to control rapid heart rate associated with surgical or other manipulative procedures (e.g., cardiac catheterization), or other emergent situations requiring short-term control of ventricular rate.

May be useful in patients with noncompensatory sinus tachycardia for short-term control of rapid heart rate requiring intervention.

Not intended for chronic use when other more appropriate antiarrhythmic agents would be preferred.

Treatment of intraoperative and postoperative hypertension and/or tachycardia. Has been used effectively for prevention or treatment of increases in BP associated with surgical events. However, use for prevention of such events is not recommended by the manufacturer.

Management of hypertensive emergencies in adults.

Rapid reduction of BP in the management of acute severe hypertension in pediatric patients with life-threatening symptoms.

Treatment to produce controlled hypotension during anesthesia in order to reduce bleeding resulting from surgical procedures (e.g., orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery).

Has been used for the management of acute tachyarrhythmias complicating acute MI and to minimize myocardial ischemia following acute MI or associated with unstable angina.

While current expert guidelines recommend an oral β-blocker in all patients with MI who do not have manifestations of heart failure, evidence of low-output state, increased risk of cardiogenic shock, or any other contraindications to β-blocker therapy, use of IV β-blockers should be limited to patients with refractory hypertension or ongoing ischemia.