Bradycardia Megacode Simulator

A 72-year-old male presents to the emergency department with new onset altered mental status.
His wife states he complained of dizziness in the morning, but has subsequently become more confused throughout the day.
VS: 98.6 F / BP 84/58 / HR 44 / RR 18 / SaO2 90%
On exam, the man is oriented to person and place only. Cardiovascular exam reveals a slow rhythm with occasional skipped beats. No murmurs, rubs or gallops are appreciated. Distal pulses are weak. Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. No pedal edema.
A 12-lead EKG reveals a gradually progressive prolongation of the PR interval leading up to a blocked sinus impulse.
1. What type of arrhythmia is this patient experiencing?*
- Third degree AV block
- First-degree AV block
- Second-degree, Mobitz type I AV block
- Second-degree, Mobitz type II AV block

It is determined the patient has Mobitz type I second degree AV block.
2. Given the patient’s elevated respiratory rate and an SaO2 of 90%, what is an initial appropriate step in management?*
- Endotracheal intubation
- Initiate BiPAP
- Initiate CPAP
- 2L of O2 via nasal cannula

The patient’s wife confirms he does not take any anti-hypertensives that may affect the AV node. Bilateral IV access has been obtained.
3. What medication can be given as initial therapy in this patient?*
- 0.5 mg bolus norepinephrine
- 0.5 mg bolus IV atropine
- 5 mg bolus norepinephrine
- 5 mg bolus IV atropine

A 0.5 mg IV bolus of atropine is delivered.
On EKG, his heart rate remains around 45 bpm. The patient’s clinical status is unchanged.
4. While other interventions are prepared, at what dose and frequency can Atropine be delivered after the initial dose?*
- 0.5 mg IV every 3-5 minutes
- 1.0 mg IV every 3-5 minutes
- 0.5 mg IV every 1-2 minutes
- 1.0 mg IV every 1-2 minutes

A second dose of 0.5 mg Atropine is delivered intravenously after 3 minutes.
Heart rate increases transiently to 58, but decreases back into the low 40s shortly after.
5. The next best step is?*
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- Synchronized cardioversion
- Transcutaneous cardiac pacing
- Defibrillation

Transcutaneous pacing is initiated, without improvement in the patient’s vitals or symptoms.
6. If transcutaneous pacing is unavailable or ineffective, which medication can be used as an alternative next best step?*
- Dobutamine infusion at 2-10 μg/min
- Epinephrine infusion at 2-10 μg/min
- Vasopressin infusion at 2-10 μg/min
- Norepinephrine infusion at 2-10 μg/min

An epinephrine infusion is started at 3 μg/min.
There is mild improvement in the patient’s vitals, however he remains symptomatic. Cardiology consult has been called.
7. The next step is?*
- Prepare for transvenous pacing
- Continue transcutaneous pacing
- Prepare for cardiac catheterization
- Placement of patient on heart transplant list

ACLS Megacode 2: Bradycardia