What is the maximum total dose of Amiodarone for wide complex tachycardia?

What is the maximum total dose of Amiodarone for wide complex tachycardia?

• A. 300 mg total
• B. 450 mg total
• C. 600 mg total
• D. 150 mg total

Answer: (B)

Amiodarone dosing for wide complex tachycardia follows ACLS patterns that depend on whether the patient has a pulse. In a cardiac arrest situation with pulseless VT or VF, you start with a bolus dose and may give a second bolus if the rhythm persists after CPR and defibrillation. The total amount you should not exceed during that resuscitation attempt is about 450 mg. That’s why 450 mg is the correct maximum in this context. If the patient has a pulse and VT, the guideline is a smaller initial bolus and the dose can be repeated once, for a total up to about 300 mg. This reflects a different scenario ( VT with a pulse vs. pulseless VT/VF ) and explains why the larger 450 mg total isn’t applied in that situation.

Amiodarone dosing for wide complex tachycardia follows ACLS patterns that depend on whether the patient has a pulse. In a cardiac arrest situation with pulseless VT or VF, you start with a bolus dose and may give a second bolus if the rhythm persists after CPR and defibrillation. The total amount you should not exceed during that resuscitation attempt is about 450 mg. That’s why 450 mg is the correct maximum in this context.

If the patient has a pulse and VT, the guideline is a smaller initial bolus and the dose can be repeated once, for a total up to about 300 mg. This reflects a different scenario ( VT with a pulse vs. pulseless VT/VF ) and explains why the larger 450 mg total isn’t applied in that situation.