Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Esmolol

Esmolol (tradename Brevibloc®) is a cardioselective beta1 receptor blocker with rapid onset, a very short duration of action, and no significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilising activity at therapeutic dosages. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
E-Base
Ecstasy (drug)
Edecrin
Edrophonium
Edrophonium chloride
Efavirenz
Effexor
Eflornithine
Elavil
Eldepryl
Elidel
Eligard
Elitek
Elixomin
Elixophyllin
Ellagic acid
Elmiron
Eloxatin
Elspar
Emtriva
Emylcamate
Enalapril
Enalaprilat
Enalaprilat
Endep
Enflurane
Enoxaparin sodium
Entacapone
Enulose
Epi-pen
Epinephrine
Epirubicin
Epitol
Epivir
Epogen
Eprosartan
Ergocalciferol
Ergoloid Mesylates
Ergotamine
Eryc
Eryped
Erythromycin
Esgic
Eskalith
Esmolol
Estazolam
Estazolam
Estrace
Estraderm
Estradiol
Estradiol
Estradiol valerate
Estring
Estrogel
Estrone
Estrostep
Ethacridine
Ethambutol
Ethchlorvynol
Ethosuximide
Ethotoin
Etiracetam
Etodolac
Etopophos
Etoposide
Etorphine
Evista
Exelon
Exemestane
Hexal Australia
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Esmolol decreases the force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, which are found in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Esmolol prevents the action of two naturally occurring substances: epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Dosing

Esmolol is given by slow intravenous injection. It is commonly used in patients during surgery to prevent or treat tachycardia, and is also used in treatment of supraventricular tachycardia.

Metabolism

Esmolol is rapidly hydrolysed by the esterases in the cytosol of red blood cells. Plasma cholinesterases and red cell membrane acetylcholinesterase do not have any action. This metabolism results in the formation of a free acid and methanol. The amount of methanol produced is similar to endogenous methanol production. Its elimination half-life is about 9 minutes.


Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Efficacy Of Esmolol Versus Diltiazem For Treatment Of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Following Heart Surgery - Abstract
From CHEST, 10/1/99 by Aryan N Mooss

Purpose: This prospective, randomized, open label study was designed to compare the efficacy of IV esmolol (IVE) vs. IV diltiazem (IVD) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/F) following coronary artery bypass and or valve replacement surgery (CABG/VRS).

Methods: Written informed consent was obtained before or as soon after surgery as possible. Of the patients randomized, thirty subjects developed AF/F post-op with a rapid ventricular rate [is greater than] 100 BPM and received IVE or IVD. Subjects were excluded if they had a contraindication to beta blockade. Drug was continuously infused for twenty four hours or until; patient reverted to normal sinus rhythm (NSR); an alternate drug was added; patient was cardioverted; or death. Patients were not excluded if given digoxin postoperative for rate control. Variables measured were: time to rate control, incidence of drug induced sideeffects, length of hospitalization, and percentage of patients that converted to NSR within 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hrs. Significance was defined as a p value less than 0.05.

Results: Thirty patients received either IVE (15) or IVD (15) for AF/F based on study protocol. Pre- and postoperative characteristics were similar between the two groups. Similarities were observed for drug induced side effects, overall conversion rate, time to rate control ([is less than] 90 BPM), number of patients requring cardioversion, and length of hospitalization. Conversion rate for IVE was significantly better than for IVD during any time point within the first six hours(p [is less than] 0.05) after which time no differences were observed. The conversion rate within 24 hrs. was higher for IVE than IVD (80% vs. 66.6%).

Conclusion: IVE produced a faster and overall higher conversion rate than IVD for treating AF/F following CABG/VRS.

Clinical Implications: Postoperative SVT is a major problem after heart surgery, potentially leading to increased morbidity and ICU stay. IVE is well tolerated, induces rapid conversion, and has an overall higher conversion rate than IVD.

Aryan N Mooss, MD(*); S M Mohiuddin, MD; J T Sugimoto, MD; W Scott, MD; A P Reyes, MD; S Seyedroudbari, PharmD; D E Hilleman, PharmD and R L Wurdeman, PharmD. School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE and Cardiothoraeic Surg., Saint Joseph Hospital, Omaha, NE.

COPYRIGHT 1999 American College of Chest Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Return to Esmolol
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay