isoprenaline in cardiac resuscitation

Last reviewed 01/2018

Isoprenaline can be used as a chronotropic agent in cardiac resuscitation.

It is administered intravenously, either:

  • as a bolus of 100 or 200 micrograms
  • as an infusion, 2mg in 500ml 5% dextrose, to give 4 micrograms per ml, which is run in at 7.5 to 150 ml per hour

Main cautions when giving isoprenaline include ischaemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism and diabetes; isoprenaline is contraindicated in tachyarrhythmias.