Cordarone? Is anyone carring this drug?

[FIREMEDIC BILL]

I worked for a fire based EMS. We are taking off Bretylium, and taking on Cordarone for vent. ectopy, fib, etc.. Is anyone else doing this? Does anyone have experience giving this drug?

Be safe.

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FIREMEDIC BILLBO RESCUE 8
GWINNETT FIRE/GRAYSON GA.

[Paramark14]

My service does'nt yet, but there is talk that we will soon. The EMS in the county south of us is using it. They've had some success with it. Their protocol in VF/VT is 150 mg IV after the first epi. They say its kinda pricey at $80-$90 a pop.

Mark NREMTP
Gibson Co. EMS
Medic-3
Indiana

[Trauma_Dog]

We have been using it for about 2 yrs now and I have had very good results. My ROSC (return of spontainious circulation) percentage is up as well as out of hospital saves.

We are giveing as a one time 300mg bolus in the v-fib pulseless v-tac setting and the infusion is 150mg in 100ml of ns over 10min. We administer before lidocaine and are not using bretylium or procainimide.

I belive it is a good drug, however be on the look out for hypotension. Also this frug is very costly so make sure the vials are protected so you don't break them. Have a lot of info so if you need more just write.The Dog.

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Kent Simon
Paramedic Incharge
MCHD EMS,
Montgomery Co.,TX

[jedge168]

We've just gotten this drug in the last 2 weeks and to my knowledge, no one has used it yet. Our protocol currently is to use it in place of Bretylium for fib and tach refractory to Lidocaine or for pts that are allregic. There is some talk that this will replace Lidocaine with the coming ACLS changes from the Heart.

[N2DFire]

Well - Our protocol's are changing as I type this. Starting May 1, 2000 we will be using Amiodarone(Cordarone) in place of Bretylium.

So far in scanning the new "Field Bible" (Prorocol book) all I have seen it used for is V-Fib refractory to a total of 3mg/kg of Lidocaine. It's called for in a 300mg rapid bolus IV.

Like I said before - these are new protocols and the drugs aren't in our boxes yet so I can't tell you how it's gonna work - but I'll be sure to keep you posted after we "get the goods" in the field.

Take Care - Stay Safe

[FIREMEDIC BILL]

Well thanks for your replies so far, please keep them coming. I actually got to administer cordarone two shifts ago in a cardiac arrest (vfib). Did not convert, however I still am optimistic.

Be safe.

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FIREMEDIC BILL JENNINGS
GWINNETT FIRE/GRAYSON GA.
STATION 8-B SHIFT
ENGINE AND MED 8